1943 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-012

Description

Struck in the wartime silver alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese that replaced standard copper-nickel for Jefferson Nickels from 1942 through 1945, WDDO-012 on the 1943 Philadelphia Mint nickel displays Class I rotated hub doubling. A counterclockwise spread affects IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the star, and the date, with rotational displacement creating progressively greater separation on elements further from the rotation center. Class I rotated hub doubling occurs when the working hub rotates slightly between impressions on the working die, producing uniform rotational displacement across all affected elements. The large mint mark above Monticello on the reverse, a hallmark of all wartime Jefferson Nickels, immediately identifies this as a silver-composition issue struck to conserve nickel for military applications. The counterclockwise spread on four separate obverse design elements provides multiple diagnostic zones spanning the motto, legend, star, and date. Cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1943-P WDDO-012 and attributed by Brian A. Ribar, this wartime silver nickel combines compositional distinction with multi-zone rotational hub doubling.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1943-P WDDO-012
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References