1916 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Listed as FS-101 in the Cherrypickers' Guide — the premier doubled die obverse for the 1916 Buffalo Nickel — this variety exhibits strong spread across multiple design elements including the date, chin, throat area, feathers, and the tie on the braids of the Native American portrait. The FS-101 designation marks it as the first variety for this date in the Fivaz-Stanton reference, signaling its importance to mainstream collectors. Cataloged by VarietyVista under identifiers UVC-028 and DMR-003, the doubling is dramatic enough that strong examples can be detected without high magnification, as spread on date numerals and facial features creates clearly visible secondary impressions. Fraser's Buffalo Nickel obverse, with its composite Native American portrait featuring intricate detail in hair braids, feathers, and facial features, provides abundant fine detail where hub displacement produces identifiable doubling. Three die stages have been documented, though specific characteristics await confirmation. The 1916 date holds particular significance in the Buffalo Nickel series, including the celebrated 1916-D — one of numismatics' most famous key dates.

Die Markers

• UVC-028
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Unknown
• FS-101
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References