1946-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-010

Description

Close Class II distorted hub doubling affects the inscription IN GOD WE TRUST on this 1946 San Francisco Mint Jefferson Nickel, attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cataloged under Wexler Variety ID 1946-S WDDO-010. Class II doubling originates from a distortion in the working hub itself rather than a misalignment during hubbing, meaning that every die produced from the affected hub carries the same doubling pattern. Obverse die markers include a die scratch below the R of TRUST and die scratches running through the letters BE of LIBERTY, while reverse diagnostics feature die scratches inside the small left window of Monticello and a strong die scratch to the lower left of the F in FIVE. The 1946 San Francisco Mint Jefferson Nickel was struck during the immediate post-World War II transition, the first year that nickels returned to the standard 75% copper / 25% nickel composition after the wartime silver alloy (1942-1945) was discontinued. The wartime "silver nickels," containing 35% silver, were produced to conserve nickel for armor plating and ammunition, and their large P, D, or S mintmark above Monticello's dome made them visually distinctive. The 1946-S nickel's return to standard alloy marked the beginning of the post-war era for the denomination. WDDO-010's Class II doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST provides a clear diagnostic for cherry-pickers examining San Francisco mint nickels from this transitional year.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1946-S WDDO-010
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References