1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-007

Description

Attributed by Frank Baumann and cross-referenced as CONECA 12-R-II, the 1956 Jefferson Nickel WDDR-007 presents Class II distorted hub doubling with a close spread visible on "UNUM" and "AMERICA." The CONECA listing number 12 indicates this is the twelfth reverse variety in their registry for this date, while the R-II classification specifies a reverse die with Class II (distorted hub) doubling. The Wexler Variety ID 1956 WDDR-007 provides the parallel reference in the Wexler doubled die files. A die scratch near the rim above "19" of the date serves as an obverse die marker, while heavy die gouges running through the letters R and I of "PLURIBUS" provide robust reverse identification. These heavy reverse die gouges are particularly useful for attribution because they are more visually prominent than the close Class II doubling itself, allowing collectors to quickly identify candidate coins before committing to detailed examination of the subtle doubling pattern. The 1956 Philadelphia Jefferson Nickel had a mintage of 35,885,384 — a moderate output that was dwarfed by Denver's 67,222,940 but still sufficient to produce multiple die varieties. Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse, depicting Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate, had been the standard nickel design for eighteen years by 1956, and the hub-to-die transfer process for this well-established design was a routine operation that nonetheless continued to generate varieties through the inherent imprecision of multi-impression hubbing. Frank Baumann's attribution work on this variety represents the kind of independent expert contribution that enriches the die variety hobby beyond the major reference services.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann
• CONECA 12-R-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1956 WDDR-007
• Expert attribution by Frank Baumann

External References