1955 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002
Error
Description
Classified as a Class II Distorted Hub Doubling variety, the 1955 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002 Jefferson Nickel presents a constant spread toward the center visible on E PLURIBUS UNUM and the right side of the Monticello building, with a closer spread showing on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FIVE CENTS, and the LLO of MONTICELLO that increases progressively from left to right across the reverse inscription. This left-to-right gradient in doubling intensity is characteristic of Class II hub distortion, where the working hub flexed slightly during the impression transfer, creating displacement that varies in magnitude depending on each letter's distance from the pivot axis. Obverse die markers include a diagonal die scratch on Jefferson's nose and a die scratch extending north from the star — two independent identification features that fingerprint this specific obverse die. The reverse carries its own diagnostic set: a diagonal die scratch inside the upper portion of the M in UNUM and a vertical die scratch positioned just to the right of the bottom of the first T in STATES. Felix Schlag designed the Jefferson Nickel obverse, featuring a left-facing portrait based on Jean-Antoine Houdon's 1789 bust, while the Monticello reverse depicts Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1955, the coin is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.2 mm and a plain edge. The convergent spread pattern — where doubling pushes secondary images toward the coin's center rather than toward the rim — produces doubled lettering that appears on the interior side of the primary inscriptions, requiring careful examination under 7x to 10x magnification to distinguish from normal die deterioration effects.
Die Markers
- Obverse: Diagonal die scratch on Jeffersons nose; die scratch north from star.
- Reverse: Diagonal die scratch inside upper portion of M of UNUM; vertical die scratch just to right of bottom of first T of STATES.
External References
Community & Reference
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