1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-028

Description

Discovered by Brian A. Ribar on a 1971-S Proof Jefferson Nickel, WDDO-028 combines Class II distorted hub doubling with Class V pivoted hub doubling to produce a close spread on LIBERTY, the Monticello star, the date, and the designer's initials FS. The dual-class mechanism indicates the hub both distorted and rotated slightly between impressions during die-sinking, creating a compound displacement pattern. Obverse die markers include a die scratch across the upper portion of Jefferson's queue and a die scratch on his neck above the collar, providing two positional diagnostics in the portrait area. The paired reverse die is itself a doubled die cataloged as 1971-S Pr 5 cent WDDR-046, forming a dual doubled die marriage where both sides exhibit attributable hub doubling from independent die-sinking events. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1971-S WDDO-028 Proof, this variety's dual doubled die pairing elevates its numismatic significance, as both obverse and reverse carry independently attributable varieties that happened to be paired in the same die marriage at the San Francisco Mint.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S WDDO-028 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References