1944-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Discovered by Whaden Curtis and attributed by the Wexler Team as 1944-S WDDR-003, this wartime Jefferson nickel reverse carries Class II distorted hub doubling with a very close spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM. Class II doubling originates from angular pivot misalignment during hubbing, and the "very close" designation indicates the secondary image sits tightly against the primary impression, requiring careful examination to confirm. No obverse die markers were noted, but the reverse provides three specific attribution points: a series of die scratches above VE of FIVE, slanted die scratches above LL of MONTICELLO, and a die crack running along the third column northward to the left of the right semicircular arch. The 1944-S nickel belongs to the wartime silver alloy subseries, struck at the San Francisco Mint in the 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese composition. San Francisco produced 21.6 million wartime nickels that year, and the large S mintmark above Monticello's dome instantly identifies the mint of origin. Wartime silver nickels occupy a unique niche in Jefferson nickel collecting, bridging numismatic variety interest with precious metal content. The silver composition gives these coins a slightly different color and surface quality compared to standard pre-war and post-war copper-nickel issues, and the distinctive large mintmark format provides additional die-related variety potential. Collectors should verify this attribution by confirming the die crack on the third column, which serves as the most readily visible marker distinguishing the WDDR-003 die from other 1944-S reverse dies with similar Class II characteristics.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• Wexler Variety ID: 1944-S WDDR-003
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References