2005 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-037

Description

Attributed by Kenneth Russell and cataloged as 2005 P WDDR-037 Business Strike Ocean in View, this Jefferson Nickel Westward Journey variety is cross-referenced as CDDR-052/CONECA DDR-040. The reverse die markers reveal significant progressive die deterioration: a very large die break above the "FI" of FIVE, a large die chip in the lower portion of "N" of CENTS with a smaller chip above and to the right of "T" of CENTS, a series of die gouges under "R" of AMERICA, a die crack under "RIBU" of E PLURIBUS UNUM, and a die crack through the "U" of UNITED. The obverse carries a small die dot above Jefferson's left eye as its identifying marker. The extensive die break and crack network across the reverse inscriptions documents a working die approaching the end of its operational life, with structural failures radiating through multiple high-stress areas of the design. The 2005 Ocean in View reverse, designed by Joe Fitzgerald and sculpted by Donna Weaver, depicts the Pacific Ocean vista that greeted the Lewis and Clark Expedition with the inscription "Ocean in view! O! The joy!" — Clark's journal entry upon first sighting the Pacific in November 1805. This design was one of two special Westward Journey reverses used in 2005 as part of the commemorative program marking the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. The business strike designation distinguishes this from satin finish specimens also produced in 2005. Multiple cross-references across the CDDR, CONECA, and Wexler systems confirm this variety's recognition across the major attribution authorities, establishing it as a documented and widely accepted doubled die variety within the Westward Journey series.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Kenneth Russell
• CDDR-052/CONECA DDR-040; Wexler Variety ID: 2005 P WDDR-037 Business Strike Ocean in View
• Expert attribution by Kenneth Russell

External References