1963 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-080

Description

Attributed by Ben Peters and cataloged as WDDR-080, this 1963 Jefferson nickel is a Class II (Distorted Hub) doubled die reverse displaying a very nice spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the doubling increasing from left to right across both inscriptions. The coin weighs 5.0 grams, measures 21.2 mm in diameter, and is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This listing has a notable catalog history: it was formerly designated WDDR-239 and now replaces the original WDDR-080 listing, which was delisted because the doubling was considered too minor. No obverse die markers have been noted, but the reverse carries die scratches above ST of STATES and a die scratch above the M of MONTICELLO, providing authentication aids. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1963 WDDR-080, this variety belongs to the Jefferson Nickels Original Design 1938-2003 series. The left-to-right increasing spread is consistent with a rotational component within the Class II distorted hub mechanism, where the hub deformation creates progressively wider displacement as the inscription wraps around the coin's periphery. Ben Peters's careful documentation of the doubling pattern, including the distinction between the stronger E PLURIBUS UNUM doubling and the left-to-right progression on the outer inscription, provides collectors with precise expectations for what to look for when examining 1963 nickels. Jefferson nickels from the early 1960s were produced in vast quantities, with the Philadelphia Mint alone striking over 178 million in 1963, ensuring a large population from which variety hunters can search for this replacement listing.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ben Peters
• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 WDDR-080
• Expert attribution by Ben Peters

External References