1943-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-011

Description

Exhibiting Class II distorted hub doubling, this 1943-S Jefferson Nickel doubled die obverse shows close doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the five-pointed star, and the date. Class II doubling results from a tilted or shifted hub during the die production process, creating a spread that converges toward or diverges from a specific point on the die. The doubling's appearance across multiple design elements — motto, legend, star, and date — indicates a significant hub displacement that affected a broad area of the obverse. Die markers establish critical attribution points: on the obverse, die scratches appear on Jefferson's nose along with long, heavy die scratches on the lower portion of the collar. The reverse carries a distinctive C-shaped die gouge in the long right window of Felix Schlag's Monticello design. The 1943-S nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint during the wartime silver alloy period (1942-1945), when nickels were produced in a 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese composition to conserve nickel for the war effort. These "war nickels" feature a large mintmark above Monticello on the reverse — the P, D, or S being placed in this prominent position for the first and only time in the series. The wartime composition and accelerated production demands may have contributed to hubbing irregularities that produced doubled dies. Eleven documented DDOs for the 1943-S date reflects the depth of variety research conducted on wartime Jefferson Nickels, a series that attracts both variety collectors and those interested in World War II-era numismatics.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die scratches on Jefferson's nose; long, heavy die scratches on lower portion of collar.
• Reverse: C-shaped die gouge in long right window.

External References