1949-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Light spread on LIBERTY, the star, and the date characterizes this first documented doubled die obverse for the 1949-S Jefferson Nickel, tracked by VarietyVista under die markers UVC-850 and DMR-006. The doubling affects three distinct design elements across the obverse — the LIBERTY inscription, the decorative star, and the date numerals — indicating a comprehensive hub shift rather than a localized displacement. Stage A shows both obverse and reverse in early-to-middle die state (EMDS), a transitional classification between EDS and MDS that indicates the dies had moved past their earliest, sharpest state but had not yet developed the characteristic flow lines and softening of middle die state. Stages B (MDS) and C (LDS) remain unconfirmed. The 1949-S was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the post-war era, a period when San Francisco continued producing business strike coinage for Western circulation before its eventual transition to a proof-only facility. Felix Schlag's Jefferson portrait, in production since 1938, was by this point in its second decade, and the hubbing process that created working dies occasionally introduced the slight misalignments responsible for doubled die varieties. As DDO-001, this establishes the primary doubled die obverse for the 1949-S date.

Die Markers

• UVC-850
• DMR-006
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EMDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Larry Briggs
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References