1959 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-015

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cataloged as Wexler Variety ID 1959 WDDR-015 Proof, this Jefferson Nickel reverse variety presents Class II (Distorted Hub Doubling) with a close spread visible on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The doubling increases in intensity from left to right across the inscription — a directional gradient that serves as the primary diagnostic signature, distinguishing this variety from other 1959 proof DDR entries that may show different spread patterns or intensities across the same inscription. Reverse die markers include a slanted die scratch to the upper right of the small right window on Felix Schlag's Monticello design, another slanted die scratch to the upper right of the first column, and a die dot to the lower right of the small right window. These three markers — two slanted scratches and a die dot, all concentrated in the right-hand portion of the Monticello building — create a tight cluster of attribution points that allow rapid visual confirmation of this specific reverse die. No significant obverse die markers have been noted. The 1959 proof Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-nickel alloy (75% Cu, 25% Ni), weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter. Philadelphia produced 1,149,291 proof sets in 1959 — the final year of flat-pack proof set production before the switch to sealed plastic holders in 1960. The left-to-right increasing spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA indicates the hub distortion axis was positioned such that the right side of the die received greater displacement, creating the graduated doubling intensity that characterizes this Class II variety.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1959 WDDR-015 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References