1959-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-004

Description

Combined Class II and Class VI (distorted and distended hub) doubling produces a very nice spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA that increases from left to right on this fourth doubled die reverse for the 1959 Denver Mint Jefferson Nickel. Die markers on the reverse include die gouges between D of UNITED and the first S of STATES, and a die scratch to the upper left of M of MONTICELLO, while no obverse markers were noted. The combination of Class II (distorted hub) and Class VI (distended hub) doubling is relatively uncommon, as it requires two distinct deformation mechanisms to act on the hub simultaneously — distortion involves shape change while distension involves expansion or stretching. The increasing spread from left to right across UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is consistent with a distension vector that amplifies progressively across the die face. The 1959-D Jefferson Nickel was struck during the same year that the Lincoln Cent received its new Memorial reverse, while the nickel retained Schlag's original Monticello reverse from 1938. The Denver Mint produced substantial quantities of nickels in 1959, and four DDRs for this date represents a modest catalog that may expand as additional specimens are examined and attributed by researchers.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Die gouges between D of UNITED and first S of STATES; die scratch to upper left of M of MONTICELLO.

External References