1944 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Attributed by Tony Russo, this 1944 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel WDDR-002 was struck in the wartime silver alloy — 35% silver with copper and manganese — that replaced nickel composition from 1942 through 1945 to conserve strategic metals. The variety displays Class II Distorted Hub Doubling on UNITED STATES, with slightly lighter doubling on FIVE CENTS. Distorted hub doubling results from a warped or tilted working hub creating uneven impressions on the die, producing spread that varies in strength across the design. A long die gouge runs above Jefferson's head on the obverse, and a separate die gouge appears in the hair above the CA of AMERICA, providing strong attribution markers beyond the doubling itself. Wartime silver nickels are instantly identifiable by their large mintmark positioned above the dome of Monticello on the reverse — a placement used exclusively during 1942-1945 to distinguish the silver-content coins from their pre-war and post-war copper-nickel counterparts. The Philadelphia Mint's 1944 wartime production was enormous, yet doubled dies from this composition remain actively sought by Jefferson Nickel variety specialists. Reverse: Short vertical die gouge below E of EPU; slanted die scratch in field above roof above small right window.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tony Russo
• Wexler Variety ID: 1944-P WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Tony Russo

External References