1955 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-005

Description

Exhibiting Class II distorted hub doubling, the 1955 Jefferson Nickel WDDR-005 shows visible doubling on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — the two major reverse legends of Felix Schlag's Monticello design. Class II doubling results from a pivot or rotation of the hub relative to the die during the transfer process, producing a distinctive pattern where the doubling appears to radiate from a pivot point rather than showing uniform displacement across the design. This rotational characteristic distinguishes Class II from the more common Class I (rotated hub) doubling where all elements shift in the same direction. The die markers are detailed: a die scratch above the right portion of the long right window on the reverse, slanted die scratches above the small left window, and a die dot above the small right window — all features of Monticello's architectural detail that serve as diagnostic fingerprints. The windows of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello mansion are rendered in fine detail on the reverse, and these architectural elements both reveal the doubling and provide the die markers needed for attribution. The 1955 Jefferson Nickel was produced during a year famous in numismatic lore for the celebrated 1955 doubled die cent, but this nickel variety demonstrates that hub doubling affected multiple denominations across the Mint's production operations. WDDR-005 contributes to the growing recognition that Jefferson Nickel die varieties, while less publicized than their cent counterparts, offer substantial collecting depth for the dedicated specialist.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Die scratch above right portion of long right window; slanted die scratches above small left window; die dot above small right window.

External References