1967 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Displaying Class II distorted hub doubling, this 1967 Jefferson Nickel DDO shows a spread toward the center on LIBERTY, the five-pointed star, the date, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the designer's initials FS — affecting virtually every major obverse design element. The breadth of affected elements across the entire obverse face indicates a substantial hub displacement during die preparation, making this a comprehensive doubled die rather than one localized to a single area. Die markers provide key attribution details: on the obverse, a short vertical die gouge appears between the upper portions of the L and I of LIBERTY. On the reverse, this obverse is paired with a die listed as 1967 5c WDDR-002, creating a die marriage where both the obverse and reverse carry distinct hub doubling — a dual-doubled combination highly valued by variety collectors. The 1967 nickel occupies a unique position in Jefferson Nickel history: it was struck during the period (1965-1967) when all denominations were produced without mintmarks as a measure to discourage hoarding during the mid-1960s coin shortage. Without a mintmark, these coins cannot be attributed to a specific mint facility, though most circulation strikes were produced at Philadelphia and Denver. The WDDO-001 designation as the primary doubled die obverse for the 1967 date gives this variety foundational status in the catalog. Class II doubling with its characteristic center-directed spread produces a convergence pattern where design elements appear to be pulled inward, creating a subtle compression effect visible under magnification that experienced variety collectors can readily distinguish from machine doubling or die deterioration.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Short vertical die gouge between upper portions of L and I of LIBERTY.
• Reverse: Listed as 1967 5c WDDR-002.

External References