1935-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Attributed as Wexler Variety ID 1935-S 5c WDDR-001, this San Francisco Mint Buffalo Nickel displays a Class IV spread to the northwest on multiple reverse elements. The doubling is visible on PLU of PLURIBUS, the first U in UNUM, the upper E in FIVE, the upper letters in CENTS, some lower letters in UNITED, and the underside of the buffalo's belly — a broad zone confirming a significant hub-doubling event. Class IV doubling results from a pivoted hub rotation producing spread that radiates from the pivot point, with the northwest direction indicating the axis of misalignment. Cross-references span multiple attribution services: CONECA lists this as 1-R-IV, and the Cherrypickers' Guide catalogs it as FS-05-1935S-801 (018.6), confirming recognition as a significant variety worthy of premium consideration. The 1935-S Buffalo Nickel was struck during the later years of James Earle Fraser's iconic design, which ran from 1913 through 1938. Doubled die reverses on Buffalo Nickels are particularly challenging to detect because the design's high relief and complex surfaces can obscure subtle hub doubling.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Leroy Van Allen Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-IV, Cherrypickers: FS-05-1935S-801 (018.6)
• CONECA: 1-R-IV, Cherrypickers: FS-05-1935S-801 (018.6); Wexler Variety ID: 1935-S 5¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References