1938 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003

Description

Very light spread on PLURIBUS and AMERICA appears on this third documented doubled die reverse for the inaugural 1938 Jefferson Nickel, tracked by VarietyVista under die markers UVC-596 and DMR-018. The doubling is classified as very light, meaning it requires careful examination under magnification to confirm — the secondary image is close to the primary design and does not produce the dramatic separation seen on more prominent doubled dies. Stage A shows early die state unconfirmed, Stage B shows both obverse and reverse in middle die state (MDS), and Stage C shows late die state unconfirmed. The 1938 Jefferson Nickel holds a special place in American numismatics as the first year of Felix Schlag's design, which won a public competition to replace the Buffalo Nickel. Philadelphia struck approximately 19.5 million of these first-year nickels — a modest mintage that reflects the lingering economic effects of the Depression. Three documented doubled die reverses for the inaugural year indicates that researchers have paid close attention to this historically significant date. The very light spread on only portions of the reverse legend suggests minimal hub displacement during die manufacture, producing a variety that rewards patient examination but does not announce itself at a casual glance.

Die Markers

• UVC-596
• DMR-018
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References