2005 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-074

Description

Discovered by Richard Ray on the 2005-P Westward Journey "Ocean in View" business strike nickel, WDDR-074 is identified through a constellation of die markers rather than prominent spread descriptions. Obverse markers include a die chip in the E of LIBERTY — a small raised bump where die steel fractured locally. The reverse carries a short horizontal die scratch below the left side of the R in PLURIBUS, a die crack running along the base edge above the 5 of the date to the F of FIVE, and a die chip in the W of DW (Joe Fitzgerald's designer initials). The Wexler designation 2005 P WDDR-074 Business Strike Ocean in View places this variety within a substantial family of doubled die reverses on the second 2005 nickel reverse design, which depicts the Pacific Ocean coastline inspired by William Clark's November 1805 journal entry "Ocian in view! O! the joy!" No cross-references to CONECA or other organizations are known. The Westward Journey series (2004-2005) featured four temporary reverse designs celebrating the Lewis and Clark Expedition's bicentennial, and the "Ocean in View" design by Joe Fitzgerald replaced the traditional Monticello reverse for the latter half of 2005 production. The die crack from the base above "5" to the F of FIVE indicates progressive structural deterioration, and its presence alongside the die chips in the E and DW suggests this die had accumulated meaningful fatigue by the time specimens were struck. Philadelphia's substantial 2005 nickel production generated enough working dies to support 74-plus documented DDR varieties across the Ocean in View design alone.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Richard Ray
• Unknown; Wexler Variety ID: 2005 P WDDR-074 Business Strike Ocean in View
• Expert attribution by Richard Ray

External References