1970-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Credited to discoverer Mike Ellis and attributed as Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S WDDR-003 Proof, this proof Jefferson Nickel reverse exhibits a notably wide Class II distorted hub doubling spread. The doubling appears across multiple design elements: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FIVE CENTS, MONTICELLO, and the building steps all show a spread toward the center, while E PLURIBUS UNUM displays an extremely close spread. Such breadth — affecting both lettering and architectural elements simultaneously — indicates substantial hub displacement during die manufacture. Die markers confirm the variety: a die gouge shaped like a dot appears to the left of the bottom of the U in UNITED, and a short die crack extends east from the O of OF at approximately two-thirds up the right side of the letter. No significant obverse markers have been noted. San Francisco struck all proof Jefferson Nickels beginning in 1968, and the 1970-S date belongs to the early years of that arrangement. The wide spread across so many design elements makes WDDR-003 one of the more visually interesting proof Jefferson doubled die reverses from this period.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Mike Ellis
• Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S WDDR-003 Proof
• Expert attribution by Mike Ellis

External References