1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Identified on the 1962 proof Jefferson Nickel, this WDDO-001 represents the first cataloged doubled die obverse for the date — a primary catalog position suggesting it was either the earliest discovered or the most prominent DDO known for the 1962 proof issue. Die markers include none noted for the obverse, while the reverse displays a die scratch below TE of UNITED and three die dots to the right of the lower portion of the second L in MONTICELLO. The reverse die markers, while not related to the obverse doubling itself, serve as essential die pair identification tools — they confirm that a given specimen was struck from this specific die pair rather than another 1962 proof die that might also exhibit doubling. As a proof strike, this coin was manufactured at the Philadelphia Mint using specially polished dies and planchets, producing mirror-like fields that enhance the contrast between the doubled design elements and the surrounding reflective surface. The proof striking process involves multiple impressions at slower press speeds with higher tonnage than business strikes, yielding sharper design detail that makes even subtle doubling more visible. The 1962 proof Jefferson Nickel was struck in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. Felix Schlag designed the obverse Jefferson portrait and the Monticello reverse, which served continuously from 1938 through 2003. The 1962 proof set had a mintage of approximately 3.2 million sets, making proof varieties from this year accessible to collectors while still requiring intentional searching to locate. The three die dots at the second L of MONTICELLO serve as a distinctive fingerprint for this specific reverse die, aiding rapid screening of potential specimens.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Die scratch below TE of UNITED; three die dots to right of lower portion of second L of MONTICELLO.

External References