1943 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

The 1943-P Jefferson Nickel DDR-004 is a doubled die reverse variety from one of the most historically distinctive issues in American coinage. From 1942 through 1945, Jefferson Nickels were struck from a special 35% silver alloy — copper, silver, and manganese — to conserve nickel for wartime use; these issues carry a large mintmark above Monticello on the reverse. On DDR-004 the doubling produces a light spread across E PLURIBUS and across UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, increasing from left to right. Die markers are UVC-725 and DMR-079. Stage A is early die state but unconfirmed. Stage B adds a light die scratch running southeast between the upper portions of pillars 3 and 4 of Monticello — mid-die state, obverse also MDS. Stage C develops a light die crack from the rim through the left leg of the M in UNUM, confirming late die state on both sides. The progressive pillar-area scratch and M-in-UNUM crack provide useful chronological anchors for die-stage study. Wartime silver alloy nickels are confirmed by their non-magnetic response; the large mintmark position makes doubling and die crack examination straightforward under magnification.

Die Markers

• UVC-725
• DMR-079
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Light die scratch Southeast between upper pillars # 3 and # 4 – MDS
• Obverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• Light die crack from rim through Left leg of M of UNUM – LDS
• Obverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ed Raser
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References