1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Listed by VarietyVista and cross-referenced as FS-102 in the Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers' Guide, the 1943 DDO-005 is a Jefferson nickel doubled die obverse variety that displays strong extra thickness on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the star, and the date. The 1943 Jefferson nickel was struck during World War II when the standard nickel composition had been replaced with the wartime alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese to conserve nickel for military use. These wartime nickels weigh 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter and bear a large mintmark above the dome of Monticello on the reverse. The die is tracked with VarietyVista Universal Variety Code UVC-714 and Die Marker Reference DMR-068. Four die stages have been documented: Stage A at early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B at mid die state showing a light die clash behind the knot on the obverse with the reverse also at mid die state, Stage C where both obverse and reverse are at late die state, and Stage D at very late die state showing a light die crack running north-south through the hair, a die crack over the right roof of Monticello, and a die crack from the lower right building towards the rim. The FS-102 cross-reference indicates this is a widely recognized variety in the Cherrypickers' Guide, making it accessible to collectors who use that reference system. Felix Schlag's original Jefferson portrait, which won the 1938 design competition, provides the detailed hair, inscription, and date elements where this hub doubling is most apparent. The strong extra thickness distinguishes DDO-005 from weaker doubled die varieties on the same date.

Die Markers

• UVC-714
• DMR-068
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Light die clash behind knot – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS
• Stage D:
• Light die crack North-South in hair – VLDS
• Die crack over Right roof – VLDS
• Die crack lower Right building towards rim

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• FS-102
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References