1960 Proof Jefferson Nickel - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-036

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1960 WDDR-036 Proof, this Class II distorted hub variety on the 1960 Proof Jefferson Nickel presents close doubling on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA that increases slightly from left to right across the inscription. Die markers note no significant obverse features, while the reverse displays slanted die scratches between the lower portions of the long and small right windows of Monticello, plus die scratches to the right of the long and small center semicircular windows of the building facade. The window-area die scratches are particularly useful for authentication because they occupy a very specific region of Felix Schlag's Monticello rendering — the architectural detail of the windows is fine enough that die scratches in that area are distinctive and unlikely to be confused with scratches on a different working die. The thirty-sixth DDR catalog position for the 1960 proof nickel illustrates the substantial variety output of this date, consistent with the pattern of numerous Class II distorted hub events across the proof nickel die population of this era. The slight left-to-right increase in doubling on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA follows the characteristic gradient of Class II hub distortion, where the hub's flexure during impression creates non-uniform displacement. The 1960 Proof Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint on polished planchets in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.00 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter, sold exclusively in annual proof sets. The proof's mirror-like fields enhance the close doubling visibility, while the window-area die scratches provide a quick first-check identification under 10x magnification.

Cross References

• Wexler Variety ID: 1960 WDDR-036 Proof

External References