1942-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Whaden Curtis attributed WDDR-003 for the 1942-D Jefferson nickel, identifying it as a combination Class II and Class VI variety where distorted and distended hub doubling mechanisms act together to produce both visible separation (Class II) and extra thickness (Class VI) on the reverse design elements. Very nice doubling and extra thickness affect E PLURIBUS UNUM, FIVE CENTS, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the spread intensity increasing from left to right across each inscription. A short slanted die gouge on Jefferson's queue (ponytail) marks the obverse die, while no reverse markers were noted. Cross-referenced as both CONECA 1-R-II and Wexler Variety ID 1942-D WDDR-003, this variety benefits from dual-system catalog recognition. The 1942-D nickel carries particular historical significance: it was the final Denver Mint Jefferson nickel struck in the standard 75% copper / 25% nickel composition before the Mint shifted to the wartime 56% copper / 35% silver / 9% manganese alloy later that year. Denver produced 13,938,000 nickels in 1942 in the original composition (the wartime alloy coins carry a large mintmark above Monticello's dome and received a separate mintage count). The combination of two doubling classes operating simultaneously is relatively uncommon in the variety census, and the left-to-right increasing spread gradient provides a clear attribution diagnostic: the rightmost letters in each inscription show the strongest doubling, creating a progressive visual effect across the text.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• CONECA 1-R-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1942-D WDDR-003
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References