1945 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Cross-referenced as CONECA 4-R-VI-(3) and Cherrypickers FS-05-1945P-804 (030.5), the 1945 Jefferson Nickel WDDR-002 presents Class VI Distended Hub Doubling — a mechanism where the hub expanded slightly between impressions due to metal fatigue or thermal effects, creating doubling with a characteristic pattern of extra thickness radiating outward from the design center. Extra thickness is visible across all major reverse inscriptions: E PLURIBUS UNUM, MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with all spreads increasing from left to right — a directional gradient that confirms the distended hub mechanism and its specific orientation on the die face. This variety carries a particularly notable dual classification: the reverse die is also cataloged as a repunched mintmark listed as WRPM-019, showing P/P/P North and South — a triple-punched P mintmark where the large P above Monticello's dome received three separate impressions, displaced both north and south of the final position. Reverse die markers include a northeast-to-southwest die scratch to the left of Monticello's dome, while no obverse markers were noted. The 1945 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel holds wartime significance, as 1945 was the final year of the special silver wartime alloy (56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese) introduced in late 1942 to conserve nickel for military applications. These wartime nickels are distinguished by the large mintmark placed above Monticello's dome — a unique location used only during 1942-1945 wartime production. Each coin weighs 5.00 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter. The Cherrypickers designation FS-05-1945P-804 confirms this as a variety worth searching for, and the coexistence of doubled die and triple-punched mintmark on the same working die makes this an especially rewarding find for variety specialists.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: NE/SW die scratch to left of dome.  Reverse is also an RPM listed as WRPM-019, P/P/P North and South.

Attribution History

• CONECA 4-R-VI-(3); FS-05-1945P-804 (030.5)

External References