1967 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-005

Description

Exhibiting Class II distorted hub doubling on the reverse of a 1967 Jefferson Nickel, WDDR-005 shows very close doubling on the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM, with the spread increasing slightly from left to right across the coin. Class II doubling results from a distortion of the hub during the hubbing process — the hub flexes or deforms slightly between impressions, causing design elements to shift position in a non-uniform pattern that distinguishes it from the more uniform Class I rotated doubling. The leftward-to-rightward progression of spread intensity on this variety is characteristic of the distortion pattern, where one side of the hub deflected more than the other. Reverse die markers provide essential diagnostics for attribution: die gouges appear below the R of PLURIBUS, and a heavy die scratch runs along the rim above the M of UNUM. The 1967 Jefferson Nickel was produced during the three-year mintmark moratorium (1965-1967) implemented to combat the nationwide coin shortage, meaning all coins from this period lack mintmarks regardless of their production facility. This makes die variety attribution particularly important for 1967 nickels, as die markers and variety characteristics are the only means of distinguishing individual dies. Felix Schlag's original Jefferson Nickel design, which won a 1938 public competition, was still in use with its Monticello reverse, and the familiar architectural detail of Jefferson's Virginia home provided abundant fine design elements susceptible to hub doubling transfer.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Die gouges below R of PLURIBUS; heavy die scratch on rim above M of UNUM.

External References