1931-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-004

Description

Attributed as Wexler WDDR-004, this 1931-S Buffalo Nickel exhibits Class IV (Offset Hub Doubling) visible behind the bison's rear left leg on the reverse. Class IV doubling results from the hub being offset from its proper position during the secondary impression into the working die, creating a shifted image that appears alongside the primary design. The 1931-S Buffalo Nickel carries a mintage of approximately 1.2 million pieces, placing it among the lower-production dates in the series and adding numismatic significance to any attributed die variety from this issue. Diagnostic die markers on the obverse include north-south die scratches below the chin of the Native American portrait. On the reverse, two small die dots appear between the E of FIVE and the C of CENT, and a slanted die scratch runs from the A to the T of STATES. These die markers provide reliable identification points independent of the doubling itself, allowing confident attribution even on circulated specimens where the subtle Class IV spread might be difficult to distinguish from strike weakness or wear.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lloyd Hanson Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1931-S 5¢ WDDR-004
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References