1944 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

Fourth in the Wexler catalog for the wartime silver 1944 Philadelphia Jefferson Nickel, WDDO-004 shares the same unusual alloy as WDDO-001 — 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese — but presents a distinct Class V Pivoted Hub Doubling signature. Attributed by Brian A. Ribar as Wexler Variety ID 1944-P WDDO-004, the doubling appears on LIBERTY, the star, and the date, produced by a pivoting displacement during die preparation. Die markers separate this from other 1944-P doubled dies: a die clash to the left of Jefferson's chin and a scratch above the ER of LIBERTY on the obverse, complemented by a slanted scratch above the S of PLURIBUS and a scratch with an accompanying dot above the left porch of Monticello on the reverse. The die clash at Jefferson's chin — where reverse design elements were inadvertently impressed onto the obverse die — provides a useful attribution anchor because clash marks are unique to individual die pairs and can be precisely mapped. Ribar's documentation alongside Wexler's earlier WDDO-001 demonstrates the collaborative nature of modern variety attribution.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1944-P WDDO-004
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References