2008 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-006

Description

Classified as Class VIII Tilted Hub Doubling, this sixth doubled die reverse for the 2008 Jefferson Nickel displays doubling below and to the right of the left side of the door frame on the center door above the steps of Monticello. Class VIII doubling results from a slight tilt of the hub relative to the working die during one of the successive impressions needed to sink the design — the tilt causes design elements to shift in a pattern that radiates from a fulcrum point, with areas farther from the tilt axis showing more pronounced displacement. The architectural precision of Jamie Franki's Return to Monticello reverse design, reintroduced in 2006 after the Westward Journey series of 2004-2005, makes even subtle tilted hub doubling detectable in the geometric elements of Jefferson's historic home. Die markers on the obverse include a series of light die scratches through the 00 of the date, while the reverse shows no noted markers — though the coin examined was described as heavily circulated, which may have obscured finer die features. The 2008 Philadelphia Mint nickel represents the third year of the Return to Monticello design, and six documented DDR varieties indicates moderate die variety activity for the date. WDDR-006 demonstrates how Class VIII tilted hub doubling characteristically appears in specific architectural details — doorframes, window edges, rooflines — where the tilted impression produces a slight shadow or shelf effect adjacent to the primary design element.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Series of light die scratches through 00 of date.
• Reverse: None noted.  Coin examined was heavily circulated.

External References