1955 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Ranked first in the reverse doubled die census for the 1955 Jefferson nickel, DDR-001 showcases strong spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM accompanied by a remarkable quadrupled effect on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FIVE CENTS, and MONTICELLO — meaning these elements received at least four distinguishable hub impressions, producing a layered overlay of multiple displaced images across the reverse. Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse design, depicting Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate, provides the architectural and inscriptional canvas where this multi-impression phenomenon plays out with striking clarity. Die markers from VarietyVista include UVC-899 and DMR-005, anchoring the attribution. Cross-referenced as FS-801 in the Cherrypickers' Guide (noted as FS-801 section 035), this variety carries dual documentation in the most widely consulted attribution reference. The comments indicate that specimens can be found in flat pack proof sets — the early 1950s proof packaging format where individual coins were placed between cellophane sheets in a flat cardboard holder, confirming this as a proof die variety. Philadelphia's 1955 proof nickel production formed part of the approximately 378,200 proof sets issued that year, placing a ceiling on the total population available. The quadrupled effect on the reverse inscriptions is exceptionally rare in the die variety census; while many varieties show doubled or even tripled images, four distinguishable impressions indicate the die underwent at least three additional hub applications beyond the primary, each at slightly different alignments. This makes DDR-001 one of the most mechanically complex reverse doubled dies in the Jefferson nickel series. Strong spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM combined with quadrupling on the denomination and building name creates multiple diagnostic regions for attribution.

Die Markers

• FS-801; UVC-899; DMR-005

Attribution History

• FS-801

External References