1946 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Attributed by Whaden Curtis, this 1946 Jefferson Nickel presents a Class VI distended hub doubled die reverse cataloged as WDDR-002. The variety displays very strong Class VI extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM, with lesser extra thickness visible on FIVE CENTS, UNITED, and the M of MONTICELLO. Class VI distended hub doubling produces widened design elements without the directional displacement seen in other doubling classes, creating a bold appearance on the affected legends. The 1946 date marks the return to standard copper-nickel composition after the wartime silver alloy period of 1942 through 1945, making it the first postwar Jefferson Nickel struck in the familiar 75% copper and 25% nickel formulation. Obverse die markers show no notable features. On the reverse, two short die scratches appear above the small right window, and an almost horizontal die scratch crosses the field above the right porch of Monticello. These reverse markers authenticate the die pair and assist in distinguishing WDDR-002 from other doubled die reverses cataloged for the 1946 date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• Wexler Variety ID: 1946 WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References