1934-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Holding the primary Wexler-documented reverse doubled die designation for the 1934-D Buffalo nickel, WDDR-001 displays a Class IV spread to the west on E PLURIBUS UNUM (EPU), the left rear leg, and the tail of James Earle Fraser's iconic standing bison. Class IV doubling, classified as Offset Hub Doubling in the Wexler system, occurs when the hub is displaced laterally during the die-sinking process without rotation, producing a uniform directional spread across all affected design elements. The westward spread places the secondary impression to the left of the primary on the reverse when viewed in standard orientation. The Wexler Team cross-referenced this variety with CONECA as 1-R-II and assigned Wexler Variety ID: 1934-D 5¢ WDDR-001, establishing linkages across multiple attribution frameworks. No significant obverse or reverse die markers were noted beyond the doubling characteristics. Denver struck approximately 7.48 million Buffalo nickels in 1934, a Depression-era mintage that reflects reduced commercial demand for coinage during the economic downturn. Fraser's deeply sculptured bison reverse — featuring the American buffalo standing on a mound of earth with FIVE CENTS below and E PLURIBUS UNUM above — provides richly detailed surfaces where Class IV offset doubling produces readily detectable secondary impressions. The left rear leg and tail feature fine hair and muscle detail that amplifies even moderate hub displacement, while the motto's serif lettering provides crisp letter edges where the westward offset creates a clearly defined shelf. Collectors should examine EPU, the left rear leg, and the tail under 10-15x magnification, looking for consistent westward displacement of the secondary impression across all three diagnostic areas.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Leroy Van Allen Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-II
• CONECA: 1-R-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1934-D 5¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References