1942 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-006

Description

Struck in the wartime silver alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese, this 1942 Jefferson Nickel doubled die obverse carries the large P mintmark above Monticello on the reverse that distinguishes wartime silver nickels from standard copper-nickel issues. Class II distorted hub doubling shows on IN GOD WE TRUST and the L of LIBERTY. Attributed by Whaden Curtis under the Wexler Team with a Type II designation, WDDO-006 documents hub displacement on one of the first-year wartime composition nickels. Obverse die markers include a heavy die gouge above TRU in TRUST and a vertical die crack on the dome visible in later die states. The Class II distortion mechanism produces displacement that decreases across the design in one direction, and the concentration of doubling on the trust motto and LIBERTY reflects the areas where distortion was strongest during the errant hubbing impression. Wartime silver Jefferson Nickels occupy a unique niche in the series, and doubled die varieties on these distinctive alloy coins combine die variety collecting with the added interest of the silver composition and oversized mintmark that mark this emergency wartime coinage program. Die Markers: Obverse: Heavy die gouge above TRU of TRUST; die scratches near rim above ERTY of LIBERTY. Reverse: Vertical die crack on left side of dome south to upper left side of second column; heavy die scratches below CA of AMERICA and UNITED.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• Wexler Variety ID: 1942 WDDO-006
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References