1956 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Recognized in the Best Of Nickel Doubled Die Varieties listing, this 1956 proof Jefferson nickel is a quintupled die where five distinct hub images can be identified on the lower portion of I in IN. Submitted by Frank Baumann and cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1956 WDDO-001 Proof, cross-referenced as CONECA 2-O-II-C+VI(4) and FS-05-1956-101(35.4), this variety combines Class II and Class VI distorted and distended hub doubling. Strong extra thickness and some separation of images appear on IN GOD WE TRUST, decreasing from left to right, along with Jefferson's profile and, to a lesser extent, LIBERTY, the star, the date, and the queue. A small die gouge dot at the top of L in LIBERTY and a short vertical gouge in the hair midway between nose and back of head mark the obverse, while a small die gouge dot below the right side of M in UNUM marks the reverse. The five-image overlap on the I of IN represents an extraordinary number of hub impressions on a single die, far exceeding the typical doubled or tripled die. The Fivaz-Stanton listing confirms its status among the most significant proof nickel varieties of the 1950s.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann
• CONECA 2-O-II-C+VI(4);  FS-05-1956-101(35.4); Wexler Variety ID: 1956 WDDO-001 Proof
• Expert attribution by Frank Baumann

External References