1935 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003

Description

Attributed as DDR-003 for the 1935 Philadelphia Mint Buffalo Nickel, this doubled die reverse exhibits a medium spread on UNITED, FIVE CENTS, and the buffalo's eye — the doubling on the eye being particularly notable since it creates a visible secondary impression on one of the design's most recognizable elements. Cross-referenced as FS-803 in the Fivaz-Stanton catalog, this variety carries dual attribution. Die markers cataloged under UVC-140 and DMR-005 document three die stages: Stage A is early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B shows circular die scratches around the reverse perimeter at mid-die-state with the obverse also at mid-die-state, and Stage C is late die state (unconfirmed). The progression through die states helps collectors determine how much wear a die had accumulated when their specimen was struck. James Earle Fraser's iconic Buffalo Nickel design, produced from 1913 through 1938, features a Native American portrait on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse. Identifying this variety requires the medium spread on the reverse lettering and the doubled eye.

Die Markers

• UVC-140
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Circular die scratches around perimeter of Reverse – MDS
• Obverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ron Pope
• FS-803
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References