1939 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-013

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar, WDDO-013 for the 1939 Jefferson nickel is a Class V pivoted hub doubling where the hub rotated partially between impressions, creating spread that radiates outward from the pivot center. On this die, the pivoted spread manifests on LIBERTY, the five-pointed star between LIBERTY and the date, and the date digits themselves. Class V doubling differs from Class I rotated doubling in that the rotation is incomplete — affecting only a portion of the design arc rather than producing uniform displacement around the entire circumference — and the amount of separation varies depending on distance from the pivot axis. Obverse die markers confirm attribution independent of the doubling: a slanted die scratch appears to the left of the I in IN, and a separate die scratch sits above the O in GOD, both persistent features across die states. The reverse carries its own diagnostic set, including a long die scratch between the rim and the left edge of Monticello's building facade, and additional die scratches above the far left end of the building. Notably, this reverse features Type II steps on Monticello's front entrance — the more sharply defined step configuration that collectors of the 1939 nickel track alongside varieties. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1939 WDDO-013, this listing documents one of the early-date Jefferson nickel doubled dies, produced during only the second year of Felix Schlag's design. Philadelphia struck 120,615,000 nickels in 1939, and the relative scarcity of documented DDO varieties from this date compared to later years reflects both smaller collector awareness at the time and the different hub manufacturing practices employed at the Mint in the late 1930s.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1939 WDDO-013
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References