1957 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-012

Description

Attributed by Gary G. Wagnon and cataloged as 1957 WDDR-012 Proof in the Wexler Doubled Die Files, this proof Jefferson Nickel exhibits Class II Distorted Hub Doubling with a strong spread toward the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, accompanied by a closer spread on FIVE CENTS and ELLO of MONTICELLO. All spreads increase from left to right across the inscriptions — a progressive pattern where the hub displacement produced minimal separation on the left side of each text string and maximum separation on the right, indicating a pivot or rotation point to the left of the die center during the secondary hub impression. Obverse die markers include a short die gouge extending east from the tip of the 5 in the date and a die gouge dot positioned on the top of Jefferson's head at the 1 o'clock position. The reverse carries its own marker set: a die gouge dot on the center steps directly above the I in MONTICELLO and a die gouge dot above the small left window of the building facade. These four independently located die markers across both dies provide a robust identification system for confirming this specific die pairing. The 1957 proof Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint as part of the 1957 proof set, produced on specially polished planchets with polished dies to create mirror-like fields. Composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, the coin weighs 5.00 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. Felix Schlag designed the Jefferson portrait obverse and Monticello reverse, which had been in continuous use since 1938. The proof surface finish enhances the visibility of the center-directed doubling on the reverse inscriptions, as the reflective fields provide strong contrast against the doubled design elements.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Gary G. Wagnon
• Wexler Variety ID: 1957 WDDR-012 Proof
• Expert attribution by Gary G. Wagnon

External References