1940 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDR-005 with die marker code UVC-649 and DMR-012, this doubled die reverse variety appears on a 1940 Jefferson nickel struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The Jefferson nickel, introduced in 1938 with Felix Schlag's design, is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.0 grams with a diameter of 21.2 mm and a plain edge. Philadelphia produced 176,499,158 nickels in 1940, just two years into the Jefferson series and prior to the wartime silver alloy composition change that would begin in late 1942. The doubling on DDR-005 shows a medium spread on UNUM, the right building edge of Monticello, the letters LLO of MONTICELLO, and TS of CENTS, along with rotation visible on the letters of AMERICA. This combination of spreading and rotational displacement across different areas of the reverse suggests a compound doubling mechanism. Three distinct die stages have been identified for this variety: Stage A is characterized by numerous fine die scratches on both the reverse and obverse in early die state, Stage B represents a mid-die-state condition that remains unconfirmed, and Stage C covers the late die state, also unconfirmed. The die stage progression provides collectors with a framework for evaluating the relative scarcity and die life chronology of individual specimens. The Monticello reverse, depicting Thomas Jefferson's Virginia plantation home with its distinctive dome, portico, and columned facade, provides abundant architectural detail where hub doubling becomes detectable. VarietyVista's systematic cataloging of Jefferson nickel doubled dies using the UVC (Unique Variety Code) system offers collectors a complementary reference to the Wexler numbering system, and DDR-005 represents one of the earlier documented doubled die reverses in the Jefferson nickel series.

Die Markers

• UVC-649
• DMR-012
• Stage A:
• Numerous fine die scratches on Reverse and Obverse – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References