1967 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-006

Description

Attributed by Mike Sowell with Wexler Variety ID 1967 WDDO-006 SMS, this Class II (Distorted Hub) doubled die obverse appears on the 1967 Jefferson nickel produced as a Special Mint Set (SMS) coin. During 1965-1967, the United States Mint suspended production of standard proof sets and regular mint sets due to a nationwide coin shortage, replacing them with Special Mint Sets that offered coins with a finish quality between business strikes and proofs. The very close Class II doubling manifests on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the five-pointed star, the date, and Jefferson's nostril, with the nostril doubling being a particularly distinctive pickup point. Obverse die markers include a die scratch inside the numeral 6 of the date and light die cracks at the top of Jefferson's head, suggesting the die was experiencing early stages of deterioration. Reverse die markers include a slanted die scratch above the center arch dome of Monticello and a die gouge to the lower left of the L of PLURIBUS. The 1967 nickel was struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.0 grams at 21.2 mm diameter. Special Mint Set coins from 1967 are of particular interest to variety collectors because they received better-than-average strikes, making doubled die characteristics more visible than on typical business strikes. Felix Schlag's Jefferson design, used in this Original Design 1938-2003 series, provides detailed facial features where the nostril doubling on this variety is readily apparent under magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Mike Sowell
• Wexler Variety ID: 1967 WDDO-006 SMS
• Expert attribution by Mike Sowell

External References