1960-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-004

Description

Attributed by John Conway and cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1960-D WDDR-004, this Jefferson Nickel displays Class II Distorted Hub Doubling with a very nice spread toward the center visible on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS, and the right side of the Monticello building. The spreads increase slightly from left to right, a directional gradient indicating the hub distortion's geometry amplified displacement toward the right side of the die face. The center-directed spread produces doubling where the secondary images of inscription letters and architectural elements shift inward from the rim, creating doubled profiles on the interior side of each affected element. Obverse die markers include a strong die break on the upper horizontal bar of the E of LIBERTY — a prominent structural failure on a visible letter that aids quick field identification. Reverse markers include a die scratch extending from the upper portion of the first S of STATES toward the O of OF, and a die scratch from the upper right of the T of UNITED running northeast to the lower portion of the F of FIVE, documenting scratch paths that traverse multiple inscription elements. Felix Schlag designed the Jefferson Nickel with the Monticello reverse that served from 1938 through 2003. The 1960-D was struck at the Denver Mint in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.2 mm. John Conway's attribution of this variety reflects the collaborative community effort in systematically documenting Jefferson Nickel die varieties. The fact that the center-directed spread affects both inscription elements and the architectural detail on the right side of Monticello makes this a particularly interesting variety to examine, as the doubling on the building's structure creates visible displaced architectural lines alongside the more commonly observed inscription doubling.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Conway
• Wexler Variety ID: 1960-D WDDR-004
• Expert attribution by John Conway

External References