1956 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-007

Description

Timothy Wissert attributed WDDO-007 for the 1956 Jefferson nickel proof, identifying close Class II doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY that results from distorted hub doubling during die manufacture. Multiple die gouges on Jefferson's forehead, described as dot-shaped, together with a die dot on the back of the collar, constitute the obverse die markers. On the reverse, a slanted die scratch to the upper right of the small left window and a circular die scratch on the right side of Monticello's dome provide the secondary identification features. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1956 WDDO-007 Proof, this variety belongs to a proof-only issue from an era when the Philadelphia Mint handled all proof coin production in-house. Class II distorted hub doubling creates non-uniform spread patterns because the hub surface itself warps between impressions rather than simply shifting position, meaning the doubling direction and intensity vary across different zones of the die face. On WDDO-007, this produces doubling that may appear slightly different on IN GOD WE TRUST than on LIBERTY, a hallmark of the distortion mechanism that distinguishes it from the uniform displacement seen in Class I rotated doubling. The 669,384 proof sets struck in 1956 represent a growing collector market that would explode in the following decade, and proof Jefferson nickels from the mid-1950s are actively sought both in complete proof set form and as individual coins when they carry doubled die attribution from recognized specialists like Wissert.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Wexler Variety ID: 1956 WDDO-007 Proof
• Expert attribution by Timothy Wissert

External References