1957 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-018

Description

Distinguished from its companion WDDR-017 by both the breadth of affected elements and entirely different die markers, the 1957 Proof Jefferson Nickel WDDR-018 presents a nice Class II distorted hub doubling spread across the full E PLURIBUS UNUM inscription — a broader affected area compared to WDDR-017's concentration on UNUM alone. The "nice" quality descriptor indicates the spread is more clearly visible than the "very close" WDDR-017, making this the more accessible of the two 1957 proof reverse varieties for visual identification. Die markers are distinct from WDDR-017 on both sides: the obverse carries a die scratch on Jefferson's eyebrow, while the reverse shows a die dot to the left of the N in UNITED. Compare these against WDDR-017's die dots below NU and right of S — entirely different locations confirming separate working dies. Class II tilted hub distortion varies in effect across the die surface, and WDDR-018's broader footprint across E PLURIBUS UNUM suggests different tilt geometry than WDDR-017. Felix Schlag's design appears on this Philadelphia Mint proof, struck in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams. Examine E PLURIBUS UNUM for the spread, verify the eyebrow scratch and the die dot left of N in UNITED.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die scratch on Jefferson's eyebrow.
• Reverse: Die dot to left of N of UNITED.

External References