1940 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Proof production at Philadelphia in 1940 was limited to approximately 14,158 pieces, making any die variety on a proof Jefferson Nickel from this year inherently scarce. DDO-002 displays light doubling spread on the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, visible under moderate magnification as a secondary image slightly offset from the primary letters. The reverse of this coin is identified as RDV-002, the Straight Steps variety of the Monticello reverse — a reverse die distinction that Jefferson Nickel specialists track across dates and mints to pair obverse and reverse die marriages. Multiple die marker codes are associated with this variety: UVC-639 and UVC-642 on the obverse, paired with DMR-002 and DMR-005 respectively, indicating that at least two distinct die marker reference pairings have been documented. The second year of Felix Schlag's competition-winning design, the 1940 proof nickel was struck on specially prepared planchets using polished dies, giving the finished coins mirror-like fields and frosted design elements. Because proof dies were used for far fewer impressions than business strike dies, doubled die varieties on proofs arise from hubbing anomalies rather than die fatigue, making them fundamentally different in origin from their circulation-strike counterparts.

Die Markers

• UVC-639; DMR-002; UVC-642; DMR-005

External References