1952-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Close separation on IN GOD WE TRUST resulting from Class V pivoted hub doubling defines WDDO-001 for the 1952-S Jefferson nickel, a variety that Brian A. Ribar attributed and classified. The obverse die bears a rich constellation of markers: heavy die scratches and a die dot at Jefferson's hairline, combined with die gouges at the front of his forehead, create a cluster of diagnostics concentrated in the portrait's upper region. The reverse die is equally well-marked, with many die scratches inside the right arch of Monticello and a heavy die gouge between the left long window and the first column of the building facade. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1952-S WDDO-001, this variety stands as the primary doubled die obverse listing for the 1952-S nickel. Class V pivoted hub doubling produces spread that radiates from a pivot point, causing different areas of the die to show varying degrees of displacement depending on their distance and direction from the pivot axis. On the IN GOD WE TRUST motto, this typically manifests as spread that is wider at one end of the inscription than the other, with the pivot point identifiable by the location where doubling disappears entirely. San Francisco struck 20,572,000 nickels in 1952, a production figure significantly lower than Philadelphia's output, giving S-mint Jefferson nickels from this era a built-in scarcity advantage. The heavy die scratches and gouges noted on both obverse and reverse suggest a die pair that saw aggressive surface preparation or extended use, and the combination of variety interest with lower S-mint availability makes WDDO-001 a desirable target for Jefferson nickel DDO collectors.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1952-S WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References