1946-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Marking the first post-war year and the return to standard 75% copper and 25% nickel composition after three years of wartime silver alloy, the 1946-D Jefferson Nickel WDDO-003 presents close Class II distorted hub doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST. Class II doubling arises from a tilted hub during die making, generating displacement varying across the die surface. The close intensity on the motto requires careful magnification to detect the secondary contours adjacent to the primary letterforms. A distinctive obverse die marker strengthens attribution: a die gouge positioned above the upper left portion of W in WE, transferring as a raised mark on struck coins. This variety is also a dual-variety coin — the obverse die is married to a reverse cataloged as WDDR-003, enabling collectors to verify both obverse and reverse doubling on a single specimen. Felix Schlag's Thomas Jefferson portrait appears on this Denver Mint regular strike at 5.0 grams. The 1946-D mintmark returned to its pre-war position on the reverse after the wartime years of 1942-1945 when enlarged mintmarks were placed above Monticello's dome. Examine IN GOD WE TRUST for the Class II distortion, verify the die gouge above W of WE, and check the reverse for WDDR-003 characteristics.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die gouge above upper left portion of W of WE.
• Reverse: Listed as WDDR-003.

External References