1945 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Struck on the wartime silver alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese during the final year this emergency composition was used, the 1945 Jefferson Nickel DDO-003 displays light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST. Cataloged by VarietyVista under UVC-789 and DMR-083, the doubling manifests as extra thickness on the motto, consistent with a minor hub shift between successive impressions during die preparation. Three die states are documented: Stage A in Early Die State, Stage B in Mid Die State, and Stage C in Late Die State. Philadelphia struck wartime silver alloy nickels from mid-1942 through 1945, with the large P above Monticello's dome distinguishing these silver coins from standard copper-nickel issues. Victory over Japan in August 1945 ended the rationale for the alloy, and by 1946 the Mint returned to the prewar 75% copper, 25% nickel composition. DDO-003 represents one of the final doubled die obverse varieties from the wartime alloy era, capturing a die variety on a composition never used again. The light motto spread requires magnification but serves as a reliable diagnostic.

Die Markers

• UVC-789
• DMR-083
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References