1945-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004

Description

The 1945-D WDDO-004 is a Class II (Distorted Hub) doubled die obverse found on the wartime Jefferson nickel struck at the Denver Mint. During World War II, the standard copper-nickel composition was replaced with a 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese alloy to conserve nickel for the war effort, giving these coins their distinctive silver-white appearance and slightly different ring when dropped. This variety displays a close spread toward the center on the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, a diagnostic that requires careful examination under magnification. Die markers for authentication include a small die dent located to the left of Jefferson's lower lip on the obverse, while the reverse carries its own attribution as 1945-D 5c WRPM-019 (S/S West), indicating the same die pair also exhibits a repunched mintmark. Additional reverse diagnostics include a die gouge south of the second L of MONTICELLO and light parallel die scratches running east-to-west above the letters LO of MONTICELLO. Cross-referenced as CONECA 12-O-II, this variety was cataloged by John Bordner and carries Wexler Variety ID 1945-D WDDO-004. The coin weighs 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter, part of the Jefferson Nickels Original Design series produced from 1938 to 2003 featuring Felix Schlag's portrait of Thomas Jefferson.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Bordner
• CONECA 12-O-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1945-D WDDO-004
• Expert attribution by John Bordner

External References