1961 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Classified as Class II distorted hub doubling, this first-cataloged doubled die reverse for the 1961 Jefferson Nickel shows a close spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA that increases progressively from left to right across the legend, with slight doubling also visible on CENTS and UNUM. Class II doubling occurs when the hub rotates slightly between impressions during the die sinking process, producing a pivoting spread that is strongest at points farthest from the rotation axis — which explains why the doubling intensifies from left to right across the reverse legend. Diagnostic die markers include a short die scratch above and between the P and L of PLURIBUS and an almost vertical die scratch between the third and fourth columns of Monticello on the reverse; no obverse die markers have been noted. The 1961 Jefferson Nickel was produced during the post-war era of high-volume nickel production at Philadelphia, when Felix Schlag's original 1938 design was well into its third decade of continuous use. The reverse Monticello design, depicting Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate, provides extensive architectural detail where hub doubling can manifest across columns, pediment, and surrounding legends. This variety demonstrates the rotational hub doubling mechanism at work on a denomination where doubled dies are less commonly publicized than on Lincoln Cents.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Short die scratch above and between P and L of PLURIBUS; almost vertical die scratch between third and fourth columns.

External References