1943-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-004

Description

Class II distorted hub doubling produces a very close spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and FIVE CENTS on this fourth doubled die reverse for the 1943 Denver Mint Jefferson Nickel. Die markers include a die crack on top of Jefferson's head on the obverse and two reverse markers: a die crack to the left of the small left semicircular window and a die crack from the first U in PLURIBUS to the top of the dome. The 1943-D Jefferson Nickel was struck in the wartime silver alloy composition — 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese — adopted because nickel was a critical strategic metal needed for armor plating and other military applications during World War II. The large P, D, or S mintmark placed above Monticello's dome on wartime nickels was an intentional design change to help the public identify and eventually remove these unusual-composition coins from circulation after the war. The "very close" Class II spread indicates the hub distortion produced doubling that requires magnification to distinguish from die deterioration, and the die crack diagnostics are essential for confirming attribution. Multiple die cracks suggest the die was in an advanced stage of use when these specimens were struck.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die crack on top of Jefferson's head.
• Reverse: Die crack to left of small left semicircular window; die crack from first U in PLURIBUS to top of dome.

External References