1957 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-010

Description

Attributed by John A. Wexler himself and cross-referenced as 1957 WDDO-010 Proof, this Jefferson Nickel doubled die obverse presents Class II distorted hub doubling visible primarily on the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The proof designation indicates this variety exists exclusively on coins struck using the controlled proof production process at the Philadelphia Mint, where polished dies and planchets produce the distinctive mirror and frost finish. Obverse die markers include a die scratch on Jefferson's temple and another die scratch positioned between the letters W and E of the word WE, both serving as secondary diagnostics for confident attribution beyond the doubling characteristics. Notably, the reverse die paired with this obverse is listed as 1957 Pr 5c WDDR-014, meaning the same die pair that produced this doubled die obverse also created a doubled die reverse — a die marriage where both sides of the struck coin carry hub doubling from their respective dies. Such DDO/DDR pairings are valued by variety collectors because they represent a double opportunity for hub doubling research on a single coin. John Wexler's direct attribution of this variety carries particular weight in the die variety community, as Wexler is the foremost authority on doubled dies in American numismatics, having cataloged tens of thousands of varieties across all denominations. The 1957 proof nickel was produced during the final years before the Mint suspended proof set sales in 1965 due to the coin shortage, and varieties from this era benefit from the relatively controlled production environment of proof coining.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1957 WDDO-010 Proof
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References