1934 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Strong Class VI extra thickness on this 1934 Buffalo Nickel doubled die reverse affects the inscription USA, the separator dots, and the denomination FIVE CENTS — three distinct design elements spanning the lower reverse field of James Earle Fraser's iconic design. Class VI doubling, also called distorted hub doubling, produces extra thickness without the directional spread characteristic of other doubling classes; instead, design elements appear heavier or bolder than normal, as if the letters and devices were struck with slightly more relief. This distortion results from a minor mismatch between the hub and die during the hubbing process, where the hub impression does not perfectly align with the existing die cavity. Philadelphia struck 20.2 million Buffalo Nickels in 1934, placing this date in the later years of the series that began in 1913 and ended in 1938. No significant obverse or reverse die markers have been noted by the Wexler Team, meaning attribution relies primarily on the Class VI extra thickness itself. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1934 5c WDDR-002 with no known cross-references, this second documented doubled die reverse for the date represents an intermediate census — enough to confirm the variety is real but not so many that specimens are readily available.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Larry Briggs Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1934 5¢ WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References