1953 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDO-002 with UVC-881 and DMR-004, this 1953 Jefferson Nickel doubled die obverse presents light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the star, and the date. The variety is documented across three die stages: Stage A in EDS (Early Die State) with the obverse in EDS condition and a die scratch running southeast across all four pillars on the reverse; Stage B in MDS (Mid Die State) remains unconfirmed; and Stage C in LDS (Late Die State) also remains unconfirmed. The early die state diagnostic is particularly notable — the die scratch running diagonally southeast across all four Monticello pillars on the reverse provides an unmistakable confirmation marker that spans a substantial area of the die face, making it one of the more distinctive die markers documented for this series. The light spread across four distinct obverse elements — motto, LIBERTY, star, and date — indicates a hub displacement that affected a broad swath of the die face rather than a localized area. Felix Schlag designed the Jefferson Nickel, with his original 1938 design featuring Jefferson's left-facing portrait on the obverse and a front view of Monticello on the reverse. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 75% copper and 25% nickel, the coin weighs 5.0 grams at 21.2 mm diameter with a plain edge. The 1953 Philadelphia Mint nickels were produced in substantial quantities during the post-war economic expansion. For attribution, collectors should first check the reverse for the diagonal die scratch crossing all four pillars — if present, the coin is likely Stage A EDS — then examine the obverse inscriptions and date under 10x magnification with angled lighting to confirm the light spread characteristic of DDO-002.

Die Markers

• UVC-881
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• Obverse is EDS
• Die scratch Southeast across all four pillars – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Harry Garrison's Colonial Valley Coins
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References