1968-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-029

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDO-029 with die marker references UVC-1779 and DMR-049, this doubled die obverse variety was struck on a 1968-S Jefferson nickel at the San Francisco Mint. The Jefferson nickel is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter and a plain edge. The 1968-S represents the first year San Francisco produced proof coins after the transfer of proof production from Philadelphia, and the Mint facility was still developing its proof manufacturing processes during this transitional period. The doubling on DDO-029 produces medium spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the star, the date, and Felix Schlag's designer's initials, covering essentially all of the obverse's inscription and device elements. The broad distribution of doubling across every major obverse element indicates substantial hub displacement during die manufacture, creating a variety with multiple diagnostic points for attribution. VarietyVista documents three die stages: Stage A is an early die state that remains unconfirmed, Stage B is a mid die state characterized by two small die gouges positioned northwest from Adam's apple on Jefferson's throat, with the reverse also in mid die state, and Stage C is a late die state that remains unconfirmed. The die gouges at Adam's apple in Stage B represent die deterioration markers that developed during the die's working life rather than being present from the outset. As DDO-029, this variety carries a relatively high sequential number within the 1968-S doubled die obverse census, reflecting the systematic die study that has been applied to early San Francisco proof Jefferson nickels. The 1968-S date is historically significant as the beginning of San Francisco's modern proof production era, and the presence of doubled die varieties from this inaugural year documents the die manufacturing characteristics of the newly established proof program.

Die Markers

• UVC-1779
• DMR-049
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Two small die gouges Northwest from Adam's apple – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References