1957 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-013

Description

Documented by Brian A. Ribar and cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1957 WDDO-013 Proof, this Jefferson Nickel proof doubled die obverse displays Class II distorted hub doubling with close spread visible on LIBERTY, the star, and the date. The Class II mechanism produces a distinctive warping effect across the die face — rather than the uniform rotational displacement of Class I doubling, Class II distortion results from the hub and die not being perfectly parallel during impression, creating spread that varies in direction and magnitude across different areas of the design. Die markers confirm this specific working die: a die scratch near the center of Jefferson's collar on the obverse, and a die scratch to the left of the long left window on the reverse of Monticello provide the attribution fingerprints. As a proof issue, this 1957 nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint on specially prepared planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements. Proof dies undergo the same hubbing process as business strike dies, and misalignment during hubbing creates doubled dies regardless of whether the die is subsequently polished for proof use. The proof environment actually makes doubling easier to detect, as the controlled striking conditions and pristine surfaces eliminate the wear and bag marks that can obscure subtle variety diagnostics on circulation strikes. The thirteenth doubled die obverse for the 1957 proof nickel reflects the intensive research that proof Jefferson Nickels from this era have received, with specialists systematically examining proof sets that have been preserved in their original packaging for nearly seven decades.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1957 WDDO-013 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References