1939 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Struck with the "Reverse of 1938" — Felix Schlag's original Monticello design featuring the distinctive wavy steps at the base of the building — the 1939 Jefferson Nickel DDR-004 exhibits light spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM. The Reverse of 1938 (RDV-001) is historically significant: Schlag won a public design competition in 1938, but the Mint modified his reverse steps for subsequent years, making the early wavy-step dies a sought-after transitional variety. This DDR-004 carries the RDV-001 designation confirming the wavy steps variant. The light spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM creates subtle secondary contours on the motto lettering, requiring careful magnification to distinguish from the primary impression. Die markers UVC-617 and DMR-013 identify this working die across three documented stages: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B in mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C where both reverse and obverse reach late die state. Cataloged by VarietyVista, this Philadelphia Mint regular strike was produced in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams. The combination of a Reverse of 1938 wavy-steps die with doubled die characteristics makes DDR-004 doubly interesting to Jefferson Nickel specialists. Examine E PLURIBUS UNUM for the light spread, and note the wavy steps at the base of Monticello confirming the RDV-001 reverse.

Die Markers

• UVC-617
• DMR-013
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Reverse and Obverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References