1971-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-007

Description

San Francisco's 1971-S Jefferson nickel presents DDO-007 with light spread distributed across a comprehensive set of obverse elements: LIBERTY, the star, the date, Felix Schlag's designer initials (FS), and IN GOD WE TRUST. This five-element spread pattern indicates a broad hub misalignment affecting virtually the entire obverse die face. Die markers UVC-1399 and DMR-016 anchor the variety in the VarietyVista census. Notably, the paired reverse is identified as RDV-006, the "strong railings" variant — a specific reverse die variety recognized by the prominence of the railings flanking Monticello's entrance portico, which provides collectors with a secondary attribution path independent of the obverse doubling itself. San Francisco struck approximately 106.9 million nickels in 1971, continuing its role as a business-strike facility alongside Philadelphia and Denver. The light classification means the hub impressions were nearly coincident, requiring careful magnification to resolve the secondary image. Among the five affected elements, the designer's initials FS near Jefferson's shoulder offer a particularly efficient diagnostic because the small letter size amplifies the proportional effect of even slight displacement. The date and star provide confirming evidence, while IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY round out the attribution across the upper and left obverse fields. The RDV-006 strong railings reverse pairing means collectors can first identify the reverse variety before investing examination time on the more subtle obverse doubling.

Die Markers

• UVC-1399; DMR-016

External References