1960 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-025

Description

Twenty-fifth in the Wexler obverse doubled die census for the 1960 Jefferson nickel, WDDO-025 presents Class II (Distorted Hub) doubling with close spread on IN GOD WE TRUST — the motto that arches across the upper obverse of Felix Schlag's Jefferson portrait. The proof designation is significant: this variety appears on 1960 proof nickels struck at Philadelphia, where specially prepared dies and planchets created the mirror-finish surfaces that define the proof manufacturing process. Brian A. Ribar is credited as the expert for this attribution, reflecting his contributions to the Jefferson nickel proof variety census. Class II doubling results from hub distortion rather than hub displacement, producing irregularities in the die design that transfer as subtle deviations on every coin struck from the affected die. Close spread indicates the primary and secondary images nearly overlap, creating thickened letterforms rather than clearly separated doubling — requiring careful examination to distinguish from the inherently sharp strike characteristics of proof coins. The reverse carries a useful die marker: a die scratch to the right of the small left window on Monticello, providing an independent die identification point. Philadelphia produced approximately 1.69 million proof sets in 1960, a substantial output that generated considerable die usage for proof production. The WDDO-025 designation indicates extensive doubled die documentation for 1960 proof nickels, with twenty-five obverse varieties cataloged. Collectors should first locate the die scratch to the right of the small left window on the Monticello reverse to confirm the die, then examine IN GOD WE TRUST on the obverse under 15-20x magnification, looking for subtly thickened or notched letterforms that betray the close Class II hub distortion against the proof surface.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1960 WDDO-025 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References