2017 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Class VIII tilted hub doubling on Jefferson's lower nostril identifies this as the primary doubled die obverse for the 2017 Jefferson Nickel, a variety where the doubling is confined to one of the most delicate features of the portrait. Class VIII doubling results from the hub being tilted at an angle relative to the die during hubbing, and the resulting displacement varies across the die face — on this variety, the tilt axis positioned the maximum displacement at the nostril area, where the slight angular shift produced detectable doubling. Multiple die markers confirm attribution: the obverse shows a die chip in Jefferson's hair below his ear, while four reverse markers include a die chip between the right edge of the Monticello building and the designer's initials FS, a die chip in the lower portion of the S of PLURIBUS, and a die chip inside the M of MONTICELLO. The abundance of reverse die chips — four documented features — suggests this die saw extended service and accumulated progressive deterioration. The 2017 date falls within the Return to Monticello reverse period (2006 to date), and as WDDO-001, this variety holds the primary position in the doubled die obverse catalog for the year. Jamie Franki's updated Jefferson portrait, introduced in 2006 as part of the nickel redesign, provides different diagnostic terrain than Felix Schlag's original profile used from 1938 to 2004.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die chip in Jefferson's hair below his ear.
• Reverse: Die chip between right edge of building and designer's initials FS; die chip in lower portion of S of PLURIBUS; die chip inside M of MONTICELLO.

External References