1939 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-024

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cataloged under the Wexler system as 1939 WDDR-024, this Jefferson Nickel exhibits a combined Class II and Class VI doubled die reverse — distorted and distended hub doubling acting together to produce a complex displacement pattern across the reverse inscriptions. The doubling manifests prominently on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the spread increasing progressively from left to right across each legend, indicating the hub rotation axis was positioned at the left side of the die face. Additional doubling appears on CENTS and the LO of MONTICELLO, extending the affected zone into the building name and denomination. The Monticello steps display Type II characteristics. Obverse die markers include die scratches running through the G of GOD, die scratches extending from the D of GOD to the W of WE, and die scratches visible inside the U of TRUST — three independent identification points that fingerprint this specific obverse working die. Reverse markers include die scratches inside the E of E PLURIBUS UNUM and die scratches positioned above and to the left of the left porch of Monticello, confirming the reverse die identity. Felix Schlag designed the Jefferson Nickel, which was first struck in 1938 and features the third President on the obverse with his Monticello estate on the reverse. The 1939 issue was produced in the standard composition of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.2 mm. The combination of two doubling classes on a single die — distorted hub plus distended hub — creates a variety where the doubling direction and magnitude vary across different portions of the die, making each affected inscription display a slightly different spread characteristic.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1939 WDDR-024
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References