1964 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

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Verified LegacyDoubled Die Obverse

Market Value

N/A

Rarity Index

N/A

Discovery Date

1964

Last Sold

N/A

Description

Earning the lead Wexler obverse doubled die designation for the 1964 Jefferson nickel, WDDO-001 exhibits Class V (Pivoted Hub) doubling producing a pronounced clockwise spread on LIBERTY, the five-pointed star, the date, and TRUST — an unusually broad array of affected design elements that indicates a substantial rotational displacement during the hubbing process. The CW (clockwise) spread designation means the secondary hub impression rotated relative to the primary, producing curved displacement that increases in magnitude with distance from the pivot center, and the involvement of design elements spread across both sides of the obverse confirms a significant angular displacement. Felix Schlag's left-facing Jefferson portrait was in its twenty-seventh year of production in 1964, and Philadelphia struck approximately 1.03 billion nickels that year — one of the highest nickel production figures in the series — driven by the nationwide coin shortage that prompted the elimination of silver from dimes and quarters the following year. Obverse die markers include two small die dots positioned behind Jefferson's head in the field west of the L of LIBERTY, while the reverse carries an almost vertical die gouge above the second U of UNUM. These die-specific diagnostics are essential for confirming WDDO-001 attribution, particularly given the depth of the 1964 DDO census where multiple varieties may show similar doubling on overlapping design areas. As WDDO-001 — the first and typically most notable obverse doubled die for the date — this variety commands primary interest among 1964 Jefferson nickel variety collectors. Collectors should verify the two die dots behind the head and the gouge above the second U of UNUM, then examine LIBERTY, the star, and the date under 10-15x magnification for the clockwise displacement pattern.