1943-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Displaying Class I rotated hub doubling with a strong counterclockwise spread on LIBERTY, the star, the date, and IN GOD WE TRUST, this 1943-S Jefferson Nickel is one of the more dramatic doubled die obverse varieties from the wartime silver alloy era. Class I doubling — the most visually striking of all doubling mechanisms — occurs when the hub rotates slightly between two impressions, producing a spread that fans outward from the rotation's pivot point in a consistent rotational direction. The strong counterclockwise spread indicates significant angular displacement, which would be detectable even under modest magnification. Obverse die markers include a short die scratch from the top left side of the U of TRUST and two long die scratches in the field just behind Jefferson's head. The reverse carries a short die crack extending north from the top of the roof below the dome. The 1943-S nickel was struck at San Francisco during World War II in the distinctive 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese wartime alloy — adopted to conserve nickel metal for the war effort. These "war nickels" bear a large mintmark above Monticello's dome rather than to the right of the building, making the S mintmark particularly prominent. The wartime composition ran from mid-1942 through 1945, and die varieties from this period carry dual significance as both numismatic varieties and wartime production artifacts.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Short die scratch from top left side of U of TRUST; two long die scratches in field just in back of Jefferson’s head.
• Reverse: Short die crack extending north from top of roof below dome.

External References