1960 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-015

Description

Fifteenth in the reverse doubled die census for the 1960 Jefferson nickel, WDDR-015 exhibits close Class II (Distorted Hub) doubling on the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA positioned above Felix Schlag's Monticello rendering. Class II doubling results from a warped hub or improperly seated die during the hubbing process, creating a subtle displacement that varies across the die face — and the close designation indicates the primary and secondary impressions nearly overlap, producing thickened letterforms rather than visibly separated doubled images. No significant obverse die markers were noted, but the reverse carries valuable secondary diagnostics: die scratches visible in and above the left arch of Monticello's columned portico, plus slanted die scratches positioned below the letters E and P of E PLURIBUS UNUM. These reverse die markers provide two independent confirmation zones for identifying the correct working die before committing to the more challenging task of confirming the close Class II doubling on the inscription. Philadelphia struck approximately 55.42 million nickels in 1960, a moderate production volume that maintained steady die pair consumption. The Monticello reverse, designed by Schlag as part of his 1938 competition-winning entry, positions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA along the upper periphery in a tight arc above the dome, where hub displacement on the inscription letters can be detected as thickened strokes or slightly enlarged letterforms under careful examination. Collectors should first screen for the die scratches in the left arch area and below E P as quick identification markers, then examine the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA inscription under 15-20x magnification for the characteristic letter thickening of close Class II doubling.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Die scratches in and above left arch; slanted die scratches below E P of E PLURIBUS UNUM.

External References