1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-032

Description

Identified as a dual variety by John A. Wexler, this 1971-S Proof Jefferson Nickel carries Class II Distorted Hub Doubling on the obverse and is simultaneously listed as 1971-S Pr 5c WDDR-057 for its doubled die reverse — making it one of the relatively uncommon coins that exhibit hub doubling on both sides. The obverse shows a close Class II spread on LIBERTY, the star, the date, and the designer’s initials FS. A series of die scratches running from the tip of Jefferson’s collar to the rim on the obverse serves as the primary die marker for attribution. Attributed by Tony Russo, WDDO-032 Proof documents a die pair where both the obverse and reverse working dies received distorted secondary hub impressions, an occurrence that requires independent misalignment events during the preparation of each die. The 1971-S Proof Jefferson Nickel was struck at San Francisco during the early years of that facility’s proof program, and dual-variety proof coins — bearing doubled dies on both obverse and reverse — represent a particularly desirable find for variety collectors building comprehensive proof nickel sets from this period.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tony Russo
• Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S WDDO-032 Proof
• Expert attribution by Tony Russo

External References