1927 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1927 5-cent WDDO-001, this Buffalo Nickel showcases Class IV offset hub doubling spreading to the northwest across the most sculptural elements of James Earle Fraser's celebrated obverse. The spread appears on the lips, nose, and chin, with slight doubling also visible on the eyelid — a constellation of facial features placing the displacement directly on the high-relief focal point of the Native American portrait. Class IV doubling results from the hub being offset between impressions, producing uniform NW shift where secondary impressions of each contour appear displaced toward the upper left. The eyelid involvement, though slight compared to the lower facial features, provides an additional diagnostic checkpoint. Fraser modeled his portrait from composite sittings with Native American subjects, and the high relief makes even moderate displacement visually apparent. No significant die markers have been noted. The 1927 Buffalo Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-nickel composition. Examine the lips, nose, and chin under 7x magnification for NW directional shift, then check the eyelid for confirming displacement.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Leroy Van Allen Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1927 5¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References