2005-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-007

Description

Joe Fitzgerald's Ocean in View reverse — one of two 2005 Westward Journey designs commemorating Lewis and Clark's arrival at the Pacific coast — hosts this strong doubled die on the San Francisco proof issue. The doubling appears as a strong spread but light image between the two lowest left branches of the right tree, where a secondary impression created a ghost branch within the coastal landscape. Die markers UVC-1640 and DMR-008 support attribution. Three die stages are documented: Stage A at Early Die State, Stage B at Mid Die State (unconfirmed), and Stage C at Late Die State (unconfirmed). The Ocean in View design depicts a seaside panorama with rugged trees framing the Pacific horizon, inspired by William Clark's journal entry upon first sighting the ocean. As a proof, the 2005-S nickel was struck on polished dies at San Francisco, producing mirror-like surfaces where even the light secondary image between tree branches becomes discernible. The Westward Journey series spanned 2004-2005 with two unique reverses each year, making these one-year designs where any doubled die variety is permanently tied to a commemorative reverse that will never be repeated.

Die Markers

• UVC-1640
• DMR-008
• Stage A:
• Reverse and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Edward Fletcher, Jr.
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References