1955-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-019

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cataloged as Wexler Variety ID 1955-D WDDR-019, this Jefferson Nickel presents Class II distorted hub doubling with close spread on OF AMERICA and very slight spread on UNUM. The intensity gradient — close on OF AMERICA versus very slight on UNUM — reveals the tilt geometry of the distorted hub: the maximum angular deviation fell near the OF AMERICA inscription position on the reverse die, where the hub surface departed most significantly from parallel contact, while the UNUM area sat closer to the tilt axis where distortion displacement remained at the threshold of detectability. Obverse die markers provide three distinct attribution checkpoints: two die scratches to the left of the I in IN, a die dent to the lower right of the W in WE, and a die scratch connecting the tops of BE in LIBERTY. This last marker — a scratch bridging two adjacent letters — is particularly diagnostic because it creates a visible horizontal line linking B and E that is easily spotted under low magnification and is unlikely to be confused with any design element. Three reverse die markers complete the attribution profile: a die dot below the M of UNUM, a die dot below the last O in MONTICELLO, and a slanted die scratch passing through the first L of MONTICELLO. The two die dots occupy positions below specific letters where they stand out against the otherwise clean field, serving as point-source markers that require only a brief scan to confirm. The 1955-D was struck at the Denver Mint in 75% copper / 25% nickel at 5 grams, sharing its date with the celebrated 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent — though this nickel variety is entirely unrelated to that famous cent error. The very slight spread on UNUM may require 10x or greater magnification to confirm alongside the more readily visible close spread on OF AMERICA.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1955-D WDDR-019
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References