1970-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-010

Description

Documented by Ben Peters, the 1970-S proof Jefferson Nickel WDDR-010 presents Class II (Distorted Hub Doubling) spread across the reverse inscriptions, with particularly strong doubling on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and a slightly tighter spread visible on E PLURIBUS UNUM and the left side of Felix Schlag's Monticello building. Class II doubling arises when the hub is slightly distorted during the hubbing process, causing a radial-type spread that typically intensifies away from the center of distortion. On this variety, the wide spread across the full UNITED STATES OF AMERICA legend at the coin's upper rim contrasts with the closer displacement on E PLURIBUS UNUM positioned lower on the reverse — a gradient consistent with the geometry of distorted hub displacement radiating outward. The die markers that fingerprint this specific reverse die include a die scratch to the right of the front tip of Jefferson's bust on the obverse (indicating the obverse die paired with this reverse) and a die scratch on the rim running from the D of UNITED to the M of AMERICA on the reverse. Cataloged as Wexler Variety ID 1970-S WDDR-010 Proof, this variety was struck at the San Francisco Mint in copper-nickel composition as part of the annual proof set. The 1970-S proof nickel production year is particularly active for variety collectors, and WDDR-010 stands out for its dual-intensity spread pattern across the Monticello reverse design.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ben Peters
• Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S WDDR-010 Proof
• Expert attribution by Ben Peters

External References