1960 Proof Jefferson Nickel - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-032

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and carrying the Wexler Variety ID 1960 WDDR-032 Proof, this Class II doubled die reverse was struck on a 1960 proof Jefferson nickel. The Jefferson nickel, designed by Felix Schlag and introduced in 1938, is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.0 grams with a diameter of 21.2 mm and a plain edge. The Philadelphia Mint produced 1,691,602 proof sets in 1960, a period of growing collector interest that would see proof set production continue to climb throughout the early 1960s. The Class II (distorted hub) doubling on WDDR-032 is classified as strong, showing pronounced separation on E PLURIBUS UNUM with nice doubling also visible on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA that decreases in intensity from left to right across the inscription. This progressive diminishing of doubling strength is diagnostic of distorted hub mechanisms where the hub's deformation has a rotational component, causing greater displacement at one end of a curved inscription than the other. Reverse die markers essential for attribution include a vertical die scratch inside the long right window of Monticello, a die gouge inside the lower portion of the small left window, and a die dot on the left porch area. No obverse die markers have been noted. Cross-referenced as CONECA 5-R-II-C, this variety sits within a substantial group of proof Jefferson nickel doubled dies from the 1960 date, reflecting the multi-squeeze hubbing process used during this era that was particularly prone to producing hub doubling on proof dies. The Monticello reverse, featuring Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate, provides intricate architectural details including windows, columns, and the dome where even slight hub displacement becomes detectable under magnification, making Jefferson nickel proof dies a productive hunting ground for doubled die variety collectors.

Cross References

• CONECA 5-R-II-C; Wexler Variety ID: 1960 WDDR-032 Proof

External References