1945 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-008

Description

Assigned the VarietyVista catalog numbers UVC-791 and DMR-085, the 1945 DDO-008 is a doubled die obverse on the wartime silver Jefferson nickel exhibiting light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST. Struck in the 35% silver alloy used from 1942 through 1945, this Philadelphia Mint issue represents the final year of wartime composition nickels. Three die stages trace the working life of this die pair. Stage A places both obverse and reverse at early die state. Stage B, the mid-die state, introduces a die clash under the chin on the obverse and east-west die scratches on the reverse, evidence that the dies struck each other without a planchet and continued in service afterward. Stage C, the late die state, remains unconfirmed. The light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST requires careful examination under magnification, as the displacement is subtle compared to stronger doubled die varieties. The die clash evidence in Stage B adds a secondary point of interest, documenting a production incident that left permanent traces on coins struck after the clash occurred. Collectors seeking this variety should use the chin clash mark as a die state indicator when evaluating potential specimens.

Die Markers

• UVC-791
• DMR-085
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Die clash under chin – MDS
• Die scratches East-West on Reverse – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References