2005 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-029

Description

Attributed by Kenneth Russell and cross-referenced as both CONECA DDR-035 and Wexler Variety ID: 2005 P WDDR-029 Satin Finish Ocean in View, this doubled die reverse appears on the 2005 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel's Westward Journey "Ocean in View" reverse — the second of two special reverse designs used in 2005 to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Satin Finish designation indicates this variety occurs on coins produced for the 2005 Uncirculated Mint Set, which used a specialized burnishing process on the planchets to create a distinctive matte-like surface different from standard business strikes. Die markers for attribution include a very small die dot to the left of the "L" of LIBERTY on the obverse, a short vertical die gouge at the rim above and between the "UM" of UNUM, and a small die dot above the first "U" of UNUM on the reverse. The dual cross-referencing between CONECA (DDR-035) and Wexler (WDDR-029) systems provides collectors two independent attribution pathways, though the different sequence numbers reflect each organization's separate cataloging chronology. Twenty-nine Wexler-attributed doubled die reverses for the 2005-P Ocean in View nickel documents the intensive scrutiny applied to the Westward Journey series, which attracted widespread collector interest as the first Jefferson Nickel design changes since 1938. The "Ocean in View" reverse, designed by Joe Fitzgerald, depicts the Pacific Ocean coastline that greeted Lewis and Clark in November 1805.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Kenneth Russell
• CONECA DDR-035; Wexler Variety ID: 2005 P WDDR-029 Satin Finish Ocean in View
• Expert attribution by Kenneth Russell

External References