1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Attributed as Class V Pivoted Hub Doubling, WDDO-003 on the 1939 Jefferson nickel shows doubling on LIBERTY, the star, and the date — elements at varying distances from the pivot point where hub and die aligned during the second hubbing impression. Class V doubling occurs when the hub rotates slightly around a fixed point between impressions, causing elements further from the pivot to show greater displacement while those near it remain nearly aligned. Die markers include scratches at the lower right of L in LIBERTY, scratches on Jefferson's collar, and Type II steps on Monticello's entrance. The reverse carries additional diagnostics: die scratches and a die gouge that confirm attribution to this exact working die. The parent coin — a 1939 Jefferson nickel with the Doubled Monticello design — places this variety in the earliest production year of the series, when the Mint was still refining hub-making processes for Felix Schlag's new design. Wexler's WDDO-003 ranks this as the third cataloged doubled die obverse for the date, part of a small but significant group of hub-doubling varieties from the series' inaugural era.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Series of die scratches to lower right of L of LIBERTY; series of die scratches on front of collar.
• Reverse: Type II steps.  Die scratches to lower right of small right window; die gouge above RIB of PLURIBUS near rim.

External References