1919 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

James Earle Fraser's Buffalo nickel design had been in production for six years by 1919, and WDDO-001 preserves the primary doubled die obverse variety for that year — a strong Class VI extra thickness showing on LIBERTY and the date. Class VI doubling results from distortion of the die or hub during the impression process, producing letters and numerals that appear bolder than normal rather than showing separated secondary images characteristic of other doubling classes. The Wexler Team documented this variety with specific die markers: a small die scratch visible above the AM in AMERICA on the reverse, while the obverse shows no additional die markers beyond the doubling itself. No other cross-references were known at the time of cataloging. Kevin Flynn, a prolific die variety researcher and author of numerous attribution guides, photographed this variety, and his images serve as the reference standard for identification. Philadelphia struck approximately 60.9 million Buffalo nickels in 1919, making it a moderate-mintage issue in a series that spans from 1913 through 1938. The strong classification means LIBERTY and the date should display noticeably thickened letter strokes under moderate magnification, with the extra thickness being uniform along each letter rather than directionally spread. WDDO-001 holds the primary catalog position for 1919 Buffalo nickel obverse doubling, making it the first variety collectors should check when examining this date for hub doubling evidence.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Larry Briggs Cross References: None known Comments: The photos of this variety were taken by Kevin Flynn.
• None known Comments: The photos of this variety were taken by Kevin Flynn.; Wexler Variety ID: 1919 5¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References