1938 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-010

Description

Attributed by Brian Maguire and cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1938 WDDO-010, this tenth doubled die obverse for the inaugural-year Jefferson Nickel documents a Class II distorted hub doubling event on one of the most historically significant dates in the five-cent series. Felix Schlag won the public design competition for the Jefferson Nickel in 1938, creating the obverse portrait of Thomas Jefferson and the reverse view of Monticello that would remain in use with modifications until the 2004-2005 Westward Journey series. Die markers provide robust attribution data: a die gouge runs through the R of LIBERTY, a die gouge extends from the lower left portion of the 1 in the date, and a slanted die gouge cuts through the 3 of the date on the obverse, while the reverse is separately listed as WDDR-010 — indicating this die pair carried both an obverse and reverse doubled die, a noteworthy die marriage. The first-year status of the 1938 Jefferson Nickel means that Mint engravers were working with a brand-new design, and the die production process for unfamiliar hub geometries may have been more susceptible to misalignment during hubbing. Ten doubled die obverses documented for the inaugural year testifies to both the production challenges of launching a new design and the sustained collector interest in first-year issues. Class II distorted hub doubling on a first-year type coin creates a compelling intersection of design history and manufacturing anomaly, making WDDO-010 a variety that appeals to both type collectors and die variety specialists.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Maguire
• Wexler Variety ID: 1938 WDDO-010
• Expert attribution by Brian Maguire

External References