1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008

Description

Recognized with the prestigious "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties designation, the 1939 WDDO-008 stands among the most celebrated Jefferson nickel doubled dies ever cataloged. This example appears on the Reverse of 1938 subtype, which uses the original Monticello reverse design featuring fewer steps, a transitional variety produced before the redesigned Reverse of 1940 replaced it. The obverse displays extremely strong Class VI distended hub doubling, creating dramatic extra thickness on LIBERTY, the star, and the date. Distended hub doubling occurs when the hub expands slightly during the impression process, enlarging design elements in a uniform outward direction. Obverse die markers include a series of slanted die scratches through the lower portion of the 1 in the date, while the reverse shows a die gouge to the lower right of M of UNUM and a die scratch below FI of FIVE. Cataloged under Wexler designation 1939 WDDO-008, the same physical obverse die was paired with both the Reverse of 1938 and the Reverse of 1940 designs during the transitional year.

Attribution History

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

External References