1919 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Exhibiting medium spread on the date, lower two feathers, and braid of the Native American portrait, this primary doubled die obverse for the 1919 Buffalo Nickel is cataloged by VarietyVista under UVC-044 with die marker reference DMR-002. The variety has been documented at Stage A showing both obverse and reverse in early die state, while Stages B and C remain unconfirmed. A doubled die obverse on the Buffalo Nickel series is particularly significant because James Earle Fraser's high-relief design was notoriously difficult to strike up fully, and the intricate detail of the Native American headdress feathers and braided hair provided ample surface area for doubling to manifest visibly. The 1919 date was struck exclusively at Philadelphia during the post-World War I era, with a mintage of approximately 60.8 million pieces. The doubling on the lower feathers and braid indicates the hub was slightly offset during the second impression of the hubbing process, creating a shadow image of these fine design elements. As DDO-001, this is the primary doubled die obverse attribution for the date, representing the most significant or most widely known obverse doubling for 1919 Buffalo Nickels. Buffalo Nickel doubled dies are actively collected as a specialty, with the series' bold design making even modest doubling visually striking.

Die Markers

• UVC-044
• DMR-002
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael L. Ellis
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References