1962-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-008

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar and cross-referenced under the Wexler system as 1962-D WDDR-008, this Jefferson Nickel doubled die reverse exhibits a Class II distorted hub doubling pattern affecting UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the spread increasing from left to right, culminating in its strongest expression on AMERICA. Class II doubling originates from a warped or tilted hub surface making non-parallel contact with the working die during the hubbing process, which generates progressively greater displacement as distance from the tilt axis increases — on this die, the left-to-right gradient confirms the axis of distortion ran approximately perpendicular to the legend arc, with UNITED near the axis of minimal distortion and AMERICA at the point of maximum angular deviation between hub and die surfaces. The result is that the letters of AMERICA display the most pronounced secondary outlines, where the ghost image from the misaligned hubbing pass sits visibly offset from the primary impression. Reverse die markers are particularly diagnostic on this variety: a die scratch at the roof line above the right arch of Monticello, die scratches positioned above FIVE, and a slanted die scratch running through the S of CENTS and extending to the E of AMERICA — this last scratch traversing two separate design elements and providing an unmistakable fingerprint for the reverse die. The obverse carries no significant noted die markers, which means attribution relies entirely on the reverse characteristics. Struck at the Denver Mint in 75% copper / 25% nickel at 5 grams, the 1962-D Jefferson Nickel had a robust mintage typical of early-1960s Denver production, though specimens displaying this particular doubled die reverse represent a small fraction of the total output from that single die pairing.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1962-D WDDR-008
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References