1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008

Description

Sharing the same celebrated obverse die as its Reverse of 1938 counterpart, this 1939 WDDO-008 appears on the Reverse of 1940 subtype, which introduced a redesigned Monticello reverse with more prominent steps and refined architectural detail. The variety carries the "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties designation, marking it as one of the most significant Jefferson nickel DDOs in the series. The obverse shows extremely strong Class VI distended hub doubling with dramatic extra thickness on LIBERTY, the star, and the date, identical to the Reverse of 1938 pairing since both coins were struck from the same doubled obverse die. Die markers match accordingly: slanted die scratches through the lower portion of the 1 in the date on the obverse, a die gouge to the lower right of M of UNUM, and a die scratch below FI of FIVE on the reverse. Cataloged under Wexler designation 1939 WDDO-008, the existence of this doubled die across both reverse subtypes demonstrates that the WDDO-008 die served during the mid-year transition between reverse designs at the Philadelphia Mint.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1939 WDDO-008
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References