1957 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Attributed by John A. Wexler and cataloged as 1957 WDDO-007 Proof, this proof Jefferson Nickel carries the "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties designation and is cross-referenced as CONECA 4-O-II-C+VI(4) and Cherrypickers FS-05-1957-101 (35.8) — extensive documentation confirming its status as one of the premier doubled die varieties in the entire Jefferson Nickel series. The doubling is described as an extremely strong quintrupled spread toward the center on LIBERTY, the star, the date, and IN GOD WE TRUST — quintrupled meaning five distinct hub impressions are visible, creating four layers of secondary images behind the primary design elements. This extraordinary degree of multiplication makes the variety immediately eye-catching and requires no magnification to identify on well-preserved specimens. The Class VI (Distended Hub Doubling) classification under CONECA with the (4) modifier indicates the distension mechanism produced the four extra impressions. Obverse die markers include a die scratch from the top inside of the O in GOD, a die scratch running south from the upper left of the first T in TRUST, and a die scratch running south from the lower left of the T in TRUST. The Cherrypickers FS-05-1957-101 listing confirms this as a major variety in the standard attribution reference. The 1957 proof Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. Felix Schlag designed the original Jefferson portrait. The quintrupled spread — five distinct impressions creating a dramatic cascade of repeated design elements — represents one of the most extreme hub doubling events documented on any U.S. coin denomination.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• CONECA 4-O-II-C+VI(4); FS-05-1957-101(35.8); Wexler Variety ID: 1957 WDDO-007 Proof
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References