1945 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-784 and DMR-071, DDR-002 on the 1945 Jefferson Nickel exhibits light spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and FIVE CENTS — the two primary reverse inscriptions flanking the Monticello building design. Three die stages have been identified: Stage A in early die state remains unconfirmed, Stage B in mid die state shows several die scratches above the left roof of Monticello and several die scratches through the letters WE, and Stage C in late die state is unconfirmed. The Stage B die scratches above the left roof and through WE provide the most reliable attribution markers for confirmed specimens, serving as fingerprints specific to this particular working die independent of the doubling itself. The 1945 Jefferson Nickel holds special historical significance as it was struck during the final year of the wartime silver alloy composition — 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese — adopted from 1942 to 1945 to conserve nickel for military use during World War II. These "war nickels" are identifiable by their large mintmark (P, D, or S) placed above the dome of Monticello. The wartime alloy coins weigh 5.0 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter, matching standard nickel dimensions despite the different composition. Felix Schlag's original Monticello reverse design provides the architectural backdrop against which the light spread on the flanking inscriptions is observed. The DMR-071 designation indicates this is the 71st die marker record in the VarietyVista system for Jefferson Nickel varieties, reflecting the series' extensively cataloged die population.

Die Markers

• UVC-784
• DMR-071
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Several die scratches above Left roof – MDS
• Several die scratches through WE – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References