1968-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-011

Description

Cataloged by John A. Wexler as 1968-S WDDO-011 Proof, this Jefferson Nickel presents Class I Rotated Hub Doubling — the most dramatic doubling class, where the secondary hub impression was rotated relative to the primary around a pivot point, creating a counterclockwise (CCW) spread that affects design elements progressively more as their distance from the rotation center increases. The strong CCW spread is visible on LIBERTY, the star, the date, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the designer's initials — essentially every major obverse inscription and design element. The spread pattern is noted as very similar to that of 1968-S Proof WDDO-005, suggesting a potentially related hubbing event or similar hub positioning error during the production of proof dies at the San Francisco Mint. Obverse die markers include numerous die scratches inside the depressed area between the back of Jefferson's head and his queue (the tied ribbon of hair), providing a textured identification zone unique to this die. Reverse die markers include circular die scratches on the center door of Monticello between the second and third columns, plus die scratches inside the large semi-circular arch above the center door. The 1968-S proof Jefferson Nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint, which had assumed exclusive proof coin production beginning in 1968 after proof production had been suspended from 1965 to 1967 during the coinage shortage. Composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.00 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter, proof coins are struck on polished planchets with polished dies, producing mirror-like surfaces that make even subtle doubling more readily apparent. The Class I rotational doubling visible across multiple design elements makes this one of the more visually impactful doubled die varieties in the 1968-S proof Jefferson Nickel production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1968-S WDDO-011 Proof
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References