1945 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-010

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and designated Wexler Variety ID 1945-P WDDO-010, this Jefferson Nickel doubled die obverse exhibits Class V pivoted hub doubling, with close Class II doubling visible on IN GOD WE TRUST. Class V pivoted doubling occurs when the hub rotates slightly between impressions, producing a spread that radiates from a pivot point — elements near the pivot show minimal offset while those farther away display progressively stronger separation. The close Class II doubling on IGWT adds a secondary doubling mechanism, where distortion in the hub produces slightly different character shapes between impressions. Obverse die markers are diagnostic and extensive: die scratches below E and RT of LIBERTY, and die scratches below Jefferson's ear — both sets of scratches providing reliable attribution confirmation points. The reverse carries many die scratches above and around S, GOD, WE, and TRUST, and to the right of the building, plus a curved die scratch to the right of the E in the second line of MONTICELLO. The 1945 Jefferson Nickel is notable as the final year of the wartime silver alloy composition (56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese), adopted in 1942 to conserve nickel for the war effort. These wartime nickels are distinguished by a large mintmark placed above Monticello's dome on the reverse. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint (with a P mintmark — one of the few times Philadelphia used a visible mintmark), the coin weighs 5.0 grams at 21.2 mm diameter. The combination of Class V pivoted and Class II distorted doubling on a wartime-composition nickel makes this variety noteworthy both for its die-making complexity and its historical composition context.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1945-P WDDO-010
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References