1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-017

Description

Attributed by Timothy Wissert, this 1956 Proof Jefferson Nickel WDDR-017 is classified as Class II Distorted Hub Doubling, exhibiting a close spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM. Distorted Hub Doubling occurs when the hub flexes or distorts slightly under the enormous pressure of the hubbing press, leaving offset traces that are typically uniform across the die face. Reverse die markers include a die dot to the right of the small right window, a die gouge below the inside of the large semicircular window, and a die dot above the small left window on Monticello — all three providing reliable diagnostics for confirming this die. Proof Jefferson Nickels of the 1950s were struck at the Philadelphia Mint exclusively for collector sets, receiving multiple impressions from specially polished dies to achieve their mirror-like fields. Hub doubling on proof dies is less common than on business strikes because proof dies undergo closer inspection, making confirmed examples like WDDR-017 noteworthy finds for Jefferson Nickel specialists.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Wexler Variety ID: 1956 WDDR-017 Proof
• Expert attribution by Timothy Wissert

External References