2005 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-045

Description

Within the distinctive Westward Journey nickel series of 2004-2005, this forty-fifth doubled die reverse for the 2005 Jefferson Nickel documents a medium spread in the West direction on the second lowest branch of the right tree — a specific botanical element of the American Bison reverse designed by Jamie Franki. VarietyVista assigns this variety the Universal Variety Code UVC-1631 and Die Marker Reference DMR-048, establishing precise catalog coordinates for researchers. Three die stages are tracked: Stage A shows a light die scratch under the N of UNUM and two small die gouges under DE of the designer's initials, both in Early Die State; Stage B at Mid-Die State remains unconfirmed; and Stage C at Late Die State likewise awaits verification. The Westward Journey series represented a dramatic departure from the traditional Monticello reverse, introducing two new reverse designs in each of the two years — the 2005 reverses featured the American Bison and "Ocean in View" compositions. The tree detail on the bison reverse offered numerous points where hub doubling could manifest, and forty-five documented DDR varieties for this single year testifies to both the number of dies consumed and the intensity of collector examination during what was the first significant Jefferson Nickel design change in sixty-seven years. VarietyVista confirms these are business strikes, distinguishing them from any proof or Satin Finish specimens that might share the same hub doubling. The medium-strength spread on the tree branch requires moderate magnification to appreciate fully, placing DDR-045 among the varieties that reward patient examination.

Die Markers

• UVC-1631
• DMR-048
• Stage A:
• Light die scratch under the N of UNUM – EDS
• Two small die gouges under DE of the designer's initials – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Kenneth Russell
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References