1963 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-085

Description

Attributed by John A. Wexler as 1963 WDDR-085, this Jefferson Nickel regular strike exhibits Class II Distorted Hub Doubling — a form of mechanical misalignment created when the hub and working die shift relative to one another during the hubbing process. A close Class II spread is visible on E PLURIBUS UNUM, increasing from left to right across the motto, with a closer spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA that decreases from left to right, producing an asymmetric doubling signature characteristic of distorted hub varieties. The opposing directional spreads on these two lines of text confirm the rotational component inherent in Class II doubling, distinguishing it from the parallel displacement seen in Class I varieties. A die scratch inside the upper portion of the R of AMERICA serves as the identifying die marker, allowing attributors to confirm this specific die pair independent of the doubling itself. The 1963 Jefferson Nickel was struck in large quantities at Philadelphia during the final full year before the Mint eliminated mint marks in 1965, and doubled die reverses from this transitional period reward careful inspection of the reverse lettering.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 WDDR-085
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References