1946-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Second reverse doubled die documented by the Wexler Team for the 1946-D Jefferson nickel, WDDR-002 displays Class II (Distorted Hub Doubling) with close doubling visible on E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and FIVE CENTS — the three principal reverse inscription groups on Felix Schlag's Monticello design. Class II doubling results from distortion in the hub itself rather than lateral or rotational displacement between hub and die, producing a characteristic spread pattern where the secondary image diverges from the primary in a way that varies across different zones of the design based on each zone's distance from the hub's distortion axis. Denver struck approximately 45.29 million nickels in 1946, the first post-war year after the wartime silver alloy nickels ended in 1945, returning to the standard 75% copper, 25% nickel composition that had been used since the denomination's 1866 debut. The obverse carries a distinctive die marker: a short slanted die gouge positioned below Jefferson's collar, providing a fingerprint diagnostic independent of the reverse doubling for confirming the correct die. No significant reverse die markers beyond the doubling itself were noted. The "close" spread designation indicates the primary and secondary hub impressions nearly overlap, producing thickened letter contours rather than clearly separated secondary images — a characteristic that requires careful examination to distinguish from die deterioration doubling that can superficially mimic Class II effects. Collectors should first locate the slanted die gouge below Jefferson's collar on the obverse to confirm the die, then examine E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and FIVE CENTS on the reverse under 15-20x magnification for the characteristic distorted hub displacement pattern across all three inscription zones.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Short slanted die gouge below Jefferson's collar.
• Reverse: None noted.

External References