1948-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1948-S WDDO-002 with a "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties designation, this Jefferson Nickel exhibits Class V Pivoted Hub Doubling visible on LIBERTY, the star, and the date. The "Best Of" designation in the Wexler files identifies this as one of the most significant and visually impressive doubled die obverses within the entire Jefferson Nickel series — an elevated status that substantially increases collector interest and market value. The Class V pivoted mechanism indicates the secondary hub impression was rotated relative to the primary around a pivot point, creating doubling that increases in magnitude with distance from that pivot. Obverse die markers include die scratches above the numerals 1 and 9 of the date and a series of almost vertical die scratches between the back of Jefferson's shoulder and the queue (ponytail). Reverse markers include a die dot below the second L of MONTICELLO and die scratches through the V of FIVE, with a possible S/S repunched mintmark also noted — potentially making this a combination DDO/RPM variety if the mintmark repunching is confirmed. Felix Schlag designed the Jefferson portrait obverse and Monticello reverse. The 1948-S was struck at the San Francisco Mint in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a diameter of 21.2 mm. Brian Ribar's attribution work on Jefferson Nickel varieties contributed significantly to the systematic documentation of this series, and the Class V pivoted doubling on LIBERTY and the date creates a variety where the spread increases from the pivot point outward, meaning collectors should examine the portions of each inscription furthest from the pivot for the maximum visible doubling.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1948-S WDDO-002 "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References