1939 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-007

Description

One of the most significant early Jefferson Nickel varieties, the 1939 DDO-007 earned the FS-101 designation in the Fivaz-Stanton Top 100 Varieties reference, marking it among the hundred most important die varieties in U.S. numismatics. Cataloged under UVC-1708 and DMR-028, this doubled die obverse displays strong extra thickness on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the five-pointed star, and the date. The reverse is classified as RDV-002, the Straight Steps variety known as the Reverse of 1940 — itself a collectible distinction, as early 1939 nickels used a different reverse hub from the one adopted later. Felix Schlag's Jefferson Nickel debuted in 1938, making this 1939 issue only the second year of production. Struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 21.2mm, the combination of strong obverse doubling with the scarce Reverse of 1940 creates a doubly significant variety. Examine all obverse lettering and the date under magnification for the pronounced extra thickness that earned this variety its Top 100 status.

Die Markers

• FS-101; UVC-1708; DMR-028

Attribution History

• FS-101

External References