1970-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-008

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cataloged as Wexler 1970-S WDDR-008 Proof, this Jefferson Nickel carries Class II, Distorted Hub Doubling on a proof die — a combination that leverages the mirror-finish proof surfaces to enhance visibility of what might otherwise be a subtly expressed close spread. The doubling manifests on E PLURIBUS UNUM at a close spread, with very close spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, indicating the hub distortion was modest but sufficient to produce detectable secondary images on both major reverse inscriptions. No obverse die markers were noted, while the reverse shows a die dot above and between the long and small right windows of Monticello, plus die scratches on the rim above E P of E PLURIBUS UNUM. The 1970-S Jefferson Nickel occupies a transitional position in the series: San Francisco had resumed proof production after its mid-1960s hiatus, and 1970-S proofs were sold in annual proof sets. The proof designation carries important authentication implications — proof dies are manufactured with greater care, including additional polishing steps, and are typically used for fewer impressions than business-strike dies, meaning die markers on proof dies tend to be fewer and more deliberately introduced than on heavily used business-strike dies. Class II distorted hub doubling is the single most common doubling class across all denominations, accounting for the majority of cataloged DDR and DDO entries, but its appearance on proof dies is proportionally less frequent because the tighter quality controls in proof die production reduce (but do not eliminate) the chance of hub misalignment events persisting undetected.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S WDDR-008 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References