1943-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Very close Class II distorted hub doubling shows on IN GOD WE TRUST on this second doubled die obverse for the 1943 Denver Mint Jefferson Nickel, struck in the wartime silver alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese. Die markers on the obverse include a series of die scratches on Jefferson's collar and a die scratch in his hair at the 11 o'clock position, while the reverse shows a die gouge to the right of E of E PLURIBUS UNUM and a die gouge inside the lower portion of the long right window. Class II doubling results from distortion of the hub during the hubbing process, where the hub deforms slightly rather than maintaining perfect rigidity, causing the impressed image to spread in multiple directions rather than showing the uniform rotational shift of Class I doubling. The 1943-D wartime nickel, with its large D mintmark above Monticello's dome, was part of the unique wartime alloy program that lasted from mid-1942 through 1945. The die scratches on Jefferson's collar and hair provide reliable attribution markers that persist across die states, distinguishing WDDO-002 from other doubled die obverses known for this date. The close doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST requires careful examination under magnification to confirm.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Series of die scratches on Jefferson's collar; die scratch in his hair at 11 o’clock.
• Reverse: Die gouge to right of E of E PLURIBUS UNUM; die gouge inside lower portion of long right window.

External References