1943 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-012

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-722 and DMR-076, DDO-012 on the 1943 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel documents hub doubling on a wartime silver alloy issue. Struck in the emergency composition of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese adopted from mid-1942 through 1945, these wartime nickels conserved nickel metal critical for armor plating and other military applications. The distinctive silver-content alloy gives wartime nickels a different appearance from standard copper-nickel issues and causes them to tone differently over time. Felix Schlag's Jefferson portrait on the obverse provides the design framework where hub doubling creates secondary impressions on portrait and legend elements. The large P, D, or S mint mark above Monticello on the reverse distinguishes wartime issues, with the Philadelphia P marking its first appearance on any U.S. coin. Hub doubling on the obverse generates displaced contours visible against the portrait and surrounding inscriptions. The 1943 date falls in the middle of wartime production, when Mint operations adjusted to support the war effort while maintaining coin supply. The wartime silver composition adds metallurgical significance to DDO-012, as the softer alloy created different striking characteristics than the standard copper-nickel formulation.

Die Markers

• UVC-722
• DMR-076
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse is MDS
• Die scratch from Right building to last A of AMERICA – MDS
• Die gouge Left of the T of UNITED
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Joe Miller
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References