1913 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Documented by VarietyVista, the 1913 Buffalo Nickel DDO-002 displays light spread to the south on the eyelid, nostril, upper ribbon, and braid of the Native American portrait — subtle displacement features concentrated on the obverse’s central portrait elements where the fine engraving detail makes even slight hub misalignment visible under magnification. Die stage documentation is extensive: cataloged as UVC-057 with die marker record DMR-008, the variety progresses through Stage A (early die state, unconfirmed), Stage B (mid-die-state featuring a die crack from the nose tip to the rim at the K-3 clock position, a die crack from the head to the rim at K-11:30, and a die crack from the buffalo’s head to the rim at K-3), and Stage C (late die state, unconfirmed). The Stage B crack system radiating from the portrait to the rim at multiple clock positions documents progressive structural failure along stress lines that developed from the high-relief portrait’s deep die recesses. James Earle Fraser designed the Buffalo Nickel with a composite Native American portrait on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse, struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.00 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter. The 1913 date encompasses both the Type 1 (raised mound) and Type 2 (recessed line) reverse designs, making it the transitional year for the series. The southward spread direction on the portrait elements indicates the secondary hub impression shifted downward relative to the primary, creating the extra thickness visible below the primary position of the eyelid, nostril, and braided hair detail. Collectors should examine Stage B specimens for the confirming nose-to-rim crack at the 3 o’clock position.

Die Markers

• UVC-057
• DMR-008
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die crack nose tip to rim at K-3 – MDS
• Die crack head to rim at K-11:30
• Die crack buffalo head to rim at K-3 – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Gary Torkington II
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References