1942 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

This 1942 Proof Jefferson Nickel reverse doubled die, designated WDDR-002, is a Type II wartime silver alloy proof — the 35% silver composition introduced mid-year when nickel was diverted to the war effort. The variety is Class II, Distorted Hub Doubling, with a very close constant spread toward the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and an extremely close spread on FIVE CENTS detectable primarily under magnification. This die is also married to WDDO-003 on the obverse, making both faces doubled on the same coin. The reverse carries precise die markers: a short vertical die gouge between the mintmark and the second U of PLURIBUS; a die gouge (dot) to the right of the upper portion of the M in UNUM; and two die gouges (dots) between STATES and OF. The proof surfaces, with their mirror-like fields, allow even the extremely close FIVE CENTS spread to be detected under raking light. Collectors should confirm both the WDDO-003 obverse pairing and the full reverse marker set for a complete attribution of this wartime silver alloy proof variety.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Listed as 1942 Pr 5c WDDO-003.
• Reverse: Short vertical die gouge between mint mark and second U of PLURIBUS; die gouge (dot) to right of upper portion of M of UNUM; two die gouges (dots) between STATES and OF.  Type II.

External References