1945 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-008

Description

Attributed by John A. Wexler and cataloged as 1945-P WDDR-008, this Jefferson Nickel is cross-referenced as CONECA DDR-005 and displays Class II (Distorted Hub Doubling) with a spread toward the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM that decreases from left to right. Obverse die markers include a small die gouge below the E of WE and a die scratch running west-southwest from the bottom of the first T of TRUST. The reverse carries an additional variety: an RPM listed as 1945-P 5¢ WRPM-032, showing a P/P South repunched mintmark — making this a combination DDR/RPM variety where both a doubled die reverse and a repunched mintmark coexist on the same die pair. Additional reverse markers include a vertical die scratch inside the right arch of Monticello, three parallel die scratches running northeast from the CE of CENTS, and numerous light north-to-south die scratches above the building. The CONECA DDR-005 cross-reference confirms independent catalog documentation. The 1945 Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and represents the final year of the wartime silver alloy composition (56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese) that had been used from 1942 through 1945 to conserve nickel for the war effort — though the P mintmark placement above Monticello on this issue confirms its wartime silver composition, as the large mintmark above the dome was a feature unique to the 1942-1945 silver alloy nickels. Weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter, this coin's dual DDR/RPM variety status provides collectors with a multi-anomaly specimen from the final year of wartime nickel production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• CONECA DDR-005; Wexler Variety ID: 1945-P WDDR-008
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References