1970-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Notching on LIBERTY — rather than conventional spread or extra thickness — distinguishes DDO-005 among the 1970-S Jefferson nickel doubled die obverses. These notches represent localized interruptions in the letter strokes caused by the secondary hub impression cutting into the edges of the primary letters at specific points, creating a visually distinctive diagnostic that differs from the smooth directional spread seen on most doubled dies. Additional light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST and the designer's initials (FS for Felix Schlag, positioned near the shoulder of Jefferson's portrait) provides conventional doubling confirmation alongside the unusual LIBERTY notching. The 1970-S was a San Francisco issue, and VarietyVista catalogs this under UVC-1651 with die marriage DMR-030. Fifth in the DDO census for this date, DDO-005 offers attributors a unique diagnostic fingerprint that sets it apart from the more typical spread-on-LIBERTY varieties documented for other DDO numbers. The notch effect on LIBERTY letters creates small indentations or steps along the letter edges that can be identified under 7-10x magnification by their sharp, angular character — quite different from the smooth edge profiles of undoubled letters. Collectors examining 1970-S nickels should check LIBERTY first for the distinctive notching before confirming the light IN GOD WE TRUST and designer initials spread.

Die Markers

• UVC-1651; DMR-030

External References