1960-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Listed among the "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties and documented by John A. Wexler himself, the 1960-D Jefferson Nickel WDDR-002 displays Class VI (Distended Hub Doubling) — a classification indicating that the hub expanded or contracted during the hubbing process, producing a radial spread pattern rather than a directional shift. Strong Class VI doubling appears on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the spread increasing from left to right across both inscriptions. This left-to-right gradient is diagnostically significant: it establishes that the hub distension was asymmetric, with maximum radial displacement occurring on the right side of the die, and it serves as the primary visual signature distinguishing WDDR-002 from other 1960-D reverse varieties. Reverse die markers include heavy die scratches below the F of OF and the AM of AMERICA — bold features that provide rapid attribution even before the doubling itself is examined in detail. No significant obverse die markers have been noted, meaning the paired obverse die is relatively clean. The Denver Mint's 1960 nickel production used standard copper-nickel composition (75% Cu, 25% Ni) at 5.0 grams. The "Best Of" designation from the Wexler catalog signals that WDDR-002 is considered one of the most visually dramatic or diagnostically interesting nickel doubled die varieties in the entire series, elevating its standing among Jefferson Nickel variety collectors.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1960-D WDDR-002 "Best Of" Nickel Doubled Die Varieties
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References