1934 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002

Description

Struck during the depths of the Great Depression, this second doubled die reverse for the 1934 Buffalo Nickel carries VarietyVista identifiers UVC-261 and DMR-003 and shows extra thickness across UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and FIVE CENTS on Fraser's bison reverse. The inscription thickening results from slight misalignment between hubbing impressions during die manufacture, displacing all reverse lettering by a uniform amount that manifests as broadened strokes rather than clearly separated doubling. Die stage documentation follows the standard three-stage progression — early, mid, and late die state — with the mid and late stages awaiting confirmation. By 1934, the Buffalo Nickel series was entering its final years; only four more years of production remained before Schlag's Jefferson Nickel replaced it in 1938. Depression-era coinage carries particular historical weight, as reduced economic activity affected mintage figures and the nickels circulated heavily through an economy where every five cents held meaningful purchasing power. The DDR-002 designation indicates this is the second documented doubled die reverse for the date.

Die Markers

• UVC-261
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• Reverse and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lewis Fletcher
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References