1961 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-025

Description

Twenty-fifth in the Wexler reverse doubled die census for the 1961 Jefferson nickel, WDDR-025 exhibits Class V pivoted hub doubling producing close spread on UNITED, the F of FIVE, and the M of MONTICELLO — design elements spread across Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse that help triangulate the pivot axis of the secondary hub impression. The Class V pivoted mechanism means the secondary hub impression rotated around a central axis, producing curved displacement whose magnitude increases with distance from the pivot point. The affected elements — UNITED across the top, FIVE CENTS in the central area, and MONTICELLO below the building depiction — span the reverse field sufficiently to characterize the rotation geometry. Reverse die markers include a die dot positioned to the upper right of the long left window and a die scratch on the rim below ATE of STATES, while the obverse carries no noted diagnostics. Philadelphia struck approximately 73.6 million nickels in 1961, a production volume that demanded numerous die pairs and provides the statistical base from which a census reaching at least 25 reverse doubled dies could emerge. The close spread classification indicates the primary and secondary impressions nearly overlap, producing thickened letter contours rather than clearly separated doubled images, which demands careful examination to distinguish from strike-related artifacts. Jefferson nickels from the early 1960s frequently exhibit die deterioration doubling — a worthless mechanical effect caused by die wear — that can mimic genuine hub doubling, making die marker confirmation particularly important for accurate attribution. Collectors should first verify the die dot near the long left window and the rim scratch below ATE, then examine UNITED and the M of MONTICELLO under 15-20x magnification for the characteristic thickness that marks genuine Class V hub displacement.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Die dot to the upper right of the long left window; die scratch on rim below ATE of STATES.

External References