1970-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-013

Description

Identified by Timothy Wissert, WDDR-013 on the 1970-S proof Jefferson nickel is a Class II doubled die reverse — distorted hub doubling — exhibiting a spread toward the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the doubling decreasing in intensity from left to right across the inscription. Class II doubling produces a distinctive centripetal spread pattern where design elements appear to shift inward, distinct from the outward pivoting of Class I or the lateral displacement of other classes. What elevates this variety beyond a typical DDR is the obverse die pairing: the obverse is itself a repunched mintmark variety, listed separately as 1970-S Pr 5c WRPM-001 (S/S West). Finding two cataloged varieties on a single coin — a DDR paired with an RPM — creates a dual-attribution opportunity that variety specialists prize. Reverse die markers include small die gouges to the right of the top of the small left window on Monticello. As a proof issue struck at San Francisco, this coin was produced with multiple impressions on polished planchets, making the hub doubling particularly sharp and well-defined against the mirror-like fields that characterize proof coinage from this era.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S WDDR-013 Proof
• Expert attribution by Timothy Wissert

External References