1944 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Struck on the distinctive wartime silver alloy — 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese, replacing the standard copper-nickel composition to conserve nickel for military use — this 1944 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel is identified by the large P mintmark above Monticello, unique to 1942-1945 wartime issues. Attributed by John A. Wexler as 1944-P WDDO-001, the variety exhibits Class V Pivoted Hub Doubling with very close spread on LIBERTY, the star, and the date. Class V doubling results from the hub pivoting around a fixed point during die preparation, producing displacement that radiates outward from the pivot center. Die markers include slanted scratches from the back of Jefferson's head on the obverse, north-south gouges above the right side of Monticello, and a slanted scratch at the lower right of the S of CENTS on the reverse. Wartime silver Jefferson Nickels are collected as a distinct subset owing to their unusual composition and prominent above-dome mintmark, and doubled die varieties within this subset carry added appeal as wartime production artifacts.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1944-P WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References