1944 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Attributed by Tony Russo and cataloged under the Wexler designation 1944-P WDDR-001, this Jefferson Nickel earns the distinction of being listed among the "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties — a curated designation in the Wexler files identifying the most significant and visually impressive doubled dies across the entire Jefferson Nickel series. The variety displays Class II + VI (Distorted and Distended Hub Doubling), producing a strong spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA that increases from left to right. Doubling is also visible on FIVE CENTS and the LLO of MONTICELLO. The left-to-right increasing pattern indicates the hub displacement geometry placed the pivot or minimal-displacement point on the left side, with progressive amplification moving rightward across the die face. Obverse die markers include a die crack from the top of Jefferson's head to the rim and a die gouge appearing as a dot on his nose. Reverse markers show slanted die scratches to the right of the large semicircular window and strong die gouges below the UM of UNUM. The 1944 Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, and while 1944-P nickels with the large P mintmark above Monticello were wartime silver alloy, standard-mintmark coins were produced in 75% copper and 25% nickel weighing 5.00 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. Felix Schlag designed both the obverse portrait and Monticello reverse. The strong die gouges below UM in UNUM serve as a reliable reverse marker for rapid screening, while the die crack extending from Jefferson's head to the rim provides an equally distinctive obverse confirmation point.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tony Russo
• Wexler Variety ID: 1944-P WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Tony Russo

External References