2023 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-012

Description

Classified as Class VIII tilted hub doubling by Brian A. Ribar, this twelfth cataloged doubled die obverse for the 2023 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel shows doubling on Jefferson's left eyelid and slightly on the tip of his nose and nostril. Class VIII doubling results from a slight angular tilt of the hub relative to the die during hubbing, producing a rotational spread pattern rather than the lateral shifts characteristic of more common doubling classes. The reverse of this die pair is listed as 2023-P 5c WDDR-125, making this another desirable obverse-reverse doubled die combination. Die markers include a short die scratch to the upper left of the L of LIBERTY on the obverse. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 2023-P WDDO-012, this variety documents ongoing die variety production in the contemporary era of Jefferson Nickel coinage. The eyelid area of Jefferson's portrait is a diagnostically rich zone where even minute hub shifts produce visible effects because the fine sculptural detail of the eye magnifies any misalignment. Brian A. Ribar's attribution of this variety reflects the active community of researchers examining current-year coinage, and the connection to WDDR-125 on the reverse means the same die pair produced both obverse and reverse doubling — a noteworthy die marriage for variety collectors who seek dual-attribution coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 2023-P WDDO-012
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References