1961 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-012

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and carrying the Wexler Variety ID 1961 WDDO-012 Proof, this Class II doubled die obverse was struck on a 1961 proof Jefferson nickel at the Philadelphia Mint. The Jefferson nickel is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter, and the Mint produced 3,028,244 proof sets in 1961. This variety replaces the original WDDO-012 listing, which was delisted because it proved to be a doubled working hub rather than a true doubled die, an important distinction in error attribution since doubled working hubs affect all dies derived from that hub while doubled dies are unique to a single die. The current WDDO-012 exhibits close but definite Class II (distorted hub) doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, the primary motto on the obverse of Felix Schlag's Jefferson portrait design. Obverse die markers critical for attribution include a die dot positioned to the upper right of the Y in LIBERTY and a slanted die scratch on Jefferson's temple, both of which serve as fingerprints unique to this particular die. On the reverse, a slanted die scratch above the small right window of Monticello provides confirmation of the die pairing. The proof striking process, which involves multiple impressions on polished planchets using polished and sometimes frosted dies, can actually make doubled die varieties easier to detect due to the superior surface quality and sharper design details compared to business strikes. Proof Jefferson nickels from the early 1960s are among the most actively studied denominations in the doubled die collecting community, with Ribar's systematic cataloging revealing dozens of varieties from each year of this period. The 1961 WDDO-012 adds to the substantial body of proof doubled die obverse varieties that demonstrate how the multi-squeeze hubbing technology of the era frequently produced detectable hub doubling on proof dies.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1961 WDDO-012 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References