1968-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Attributed by Whaden Curtis and designated a "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Variety, the 1968-D WDDO-002 Jefferson Nickel exhibits Class I Rotated Hub Doubling — the strongest and most dramatic class of doubled die, where the entire hub was rotated relative to the working die between impressions, producing doubling that follows a rotational arc across the die face. A strong counterclockwise spread is visible on LIBERTY, the star, the date, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the designer's initials FS — a comprehensive doubling presence affecting virtually every obverse design element, which accounts for the "Best Of" designation that marks it as one of the most significant doubled die obverses in the entire Jefferson Nickel series. Obverse die markers include a die crack running across the base of the bust extending to just over the designer's initials, along with a short die scratch from the I of IN running toward the chin. The reverse exhibits a short die gouge near the rim between the T and E of UNITED. The "Best Of" classification in the Wexler files is reserved for varieties of exceptional visual impact and numismatic importance, elevating this variety above the hundreds of more subtle doubled dies cataloged across the Jefferson Nickel series. Felix Schlag designed the Jefferson portrait obverse and Monticello reverse, with the original design serving from 1938 through 2003. Struck at the Denver Mint in 1968 in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. The strong CCW rotational spread affecting all major obverse elements makes this one of the most visually impressive and easily attributable doubled dies in the nickel denomination, detectable even at moderate magnification levels.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• Wexler Variety ID: 1968-D WDDO-002 "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References