1963-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

John A. Wexler himself attributed this 1963 Denver Mint Jefferson Nickel doubled die reverse, cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1963-D WDDR-003. The variety exhibits Class II distorted hub doubling showing on STATES OF AMERICA with the doubling increasing in intensity from left to right across the inscription — a characteristic pattern of Class II doubling where hub distortion creates spread that varies in magnitude across the die face rather than maintaining the uniform offset seen in Class I varieties. Reverse die markers include a die gouge through UN of UNUM, a die scratch above PL of PLURIBUS, and a die gouge between I and C of AMERICA, while no obverse markers were noted. The 1963-D Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Denver Mint in the final full year before the great coin shortage of 1964-65, which would lead to the removal of mintmarks from all coins in 1965-67 and the elimination of silver from dimes and quarters. Denver produced approximately 276.8 million nickels in 1963, one of the higher totals for the date as demand for coinage was accelerating. The progressive left-to-right increase in doubling on STATES OF AMERICA provides a particularly instructive example of Class II hub distortion mechanics, where the effect radiates outward from the distortion point.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1963-D WDDR-003
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References