1945 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-007

Description

Classified as Class II Distorted Hub Doubling, the 1945 Jefferson Nickel WDDR-007 exhibits a close spread toward the center on the reverse inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM. Class II doubling occurs when the hub itself is slightly distorted — typically through metal fatigue, uneven pressure, or thermal effects — causing design elements to shift inward or outward rather than in a uniform rotational or pivotal direction. The resulting doubling on WDDR-007 pushes secondary impressions of E PLURIBUS UNUM toward the center of the die, creating doubled letterforms that are subtly thicker or show shelf-like extra strokes. Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse, depicting Thomas Jefferson's Virginia home, frames the affected motto above the building's facade. Specific die markers assist in attribution: on the obverse, a die scratch below Jefferson's chin provides a primary pick-up point, while on the reverse, a small die dot appears above the M of MONTICELLO and vertical die scratches occupy the field above the small left window. These markers remain constant across all coins struck from this die pair regardless of die state, making them reliable confirmation diagnostics even on worn specimens where the doubling itself may be difficult to discern. The 1945 nickel was struck during the final year of the wartime silver alloy composition (56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese), which had replaced the standard copper-nickel alloy in 1942 to conserve nickel for military applications. Wartime nickels are identified by the large mintmark above Monticello's dome, a design change made specifically for the silver alloy issues.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die scratch below Jefferson's chin.
• Reverse: Small die dot above M of MONTICELLO; vertical die scratches in field above small left window.

External References