1946-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Stronger than its DDO-004 counterpart, the 1946-S Jefferson nickel DDO-002 presents medium-class hub doubling on LIBERTY, the star, and the date. Medium designation indicates the secondary hub impression separated far enough from the primary to be detectable under moderate magnification without requiring specialized lighting techniques. Like DDO-004, this obverse die was paired with a reverse carrying the MMS-002 "Trumpet Tail" mintmark configuration — a distinctive S mintmark shape that helps link multiple die marriages to related production sequences at the San Francisco Mint. VarietyVista catalogs this under UVC-828 with die marriage reference DMR-008. The 1946-S mintage of approximately 13.6 million nickels represents the first full year back on the standard 75% copper / 25% nickel composition after the wartime silver alloy was discontinued. Medium spread on the date numerals typically produces the most dramatic visual evidence, as the digits' sharp geometry reveals the secondary impression clearly against the flat field. The star and LIBERTY inscription provide confirming diagnostics, with the star's radiating points particularly effective at displaying directional spread. DDO-002 holds the second position in the 1946-S obverse doubled die census, a notch above DDO-004 in doubling intensity.

Die Markers

• UVC-828; DMR-008

External References