1945-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Occupying the primary doubled die obverse position for the 1945-S wartime Jefferson Nickel, DDO-001 displays light spread confined to IN GOD WE TRUST, confirmed by die markers UVC-808 and DMR-033. The notably high DMR number (DMR-033) indicates extensive die marker documentation for the 1945-S production, reflecting the large number of working dies employed and the thorough cataloging of their individual characteristics. The single-element spread pattern — with doubling appearing exclusively on the motto — mirrors the focused displacement seen on other primary-position Jefferson Nickel varieties where the hub offset magnitude was sufficient to produce visible doubling only at the most displacement-sensitive position on the die face. On Felix Schlag's obverse, IN GOD WE TRUST is positioned at the lower left below Jefferson's portrait, and the light spread manifests as subtle secondary images on the motto's letterforms. The 1945-S represents the final year of wartime silver alloy production for the Jefferson Nickel series: with World War II ending in August and September 1945, the Mint began transitioning back to standard copper-nickel composition for 1946 production. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in the 35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese alloy, the 1945-S bears the large S mintmark above Monticello's dome on the reverse — the last San Francisco wartime nickel before mintmarks returned to their traditional size and position. As DDO-001, this variety serves as the benchmark against which any subsequently discovered 1945-S doubled die obverses are compared. The light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST requires 7x to 10x magnification for confirmation, with the vertical strokes of the capital letters providing the clearest diagnostic indicators.

Die Markers

• UVC-808; DMR-033

External References