2011-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Representing the primary obverse doubled die for the 2011-D Jefferson nickel in the Return to Monticello series, WDDO-001 displays Class VIII Tilted Hub Doubling on the right side of Jefferson's nose. Class VIII in the Wexler classification system describes a tilted hub mechanism where one edge of the working hub contacted the die at a different depth than the opposite edge during impression, creating a pivoting displacement that produces doubling concentrated on one side of the design rather than uniformly across the entire die face. The resulting doubling on Jefferson's nose — specifically the right profile contour — reflects this asymmetric contact geometry. Jamie Franki and Donna Weaver's updated Jefferson portrait, introduced with the Return to Monticello reverse in 2006, presents a larger, more forward-facing depiction than Felix Schlag's original 1938 design, and the prominent nasal profile provides an excellent surface for detecting tilted hub effects. The obverse die carries a small die gouge positioned above the RT of LIBERTY, serving as a secondary diagnostic independent of the doubling itself. No significant reverse die markers were recorded. Denver struck a substantial number of nickels in 2011, though the series' modern production volumes have declined from the billion-plus figures of earlier decades. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 2011-D WDDO-001, attributed by Whaden Curtis. Collectors pursuing this variety should first locate the die gouge above RT of LIBERTY to confirm the correct die, then examine the right contour of Jefferson's nose under 15-20x magnification, looking for the characteristic tilted hub displacement that manifests as a secondary profile line shifted from the primary along a pivoting axis.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• Wexler Variety ID: 2011-D WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References