1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-014

Description

Formerly listed as WDDO-071 before being renumbered, this Class II distorted hub doubled die obverse on the 1962 proof Jefferson Nickel replaced the original WDDO-014 listing that was delisted for being too minor. Close Class II doubling is visible on IN GOD and LIBERTY, where the distorted hub mechanism produces a spread that differs from the more common pivoted or rotational shifts — instead, slight distortion of the hub itself during the hubbing process imparts an asymmetric doubling pattern. Die markers include a die dot near the center of Jefferson's collar on the obverse, while the reverse is cross-listed as 1962 Pr 5c WDDR-019, indicating the same die pair also produced a doubled die reverse — a relatively uncommon pairing where both the obverse and reverse dies carry hubbing anomalies. The 1962 proof Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint during the final years before proof production moved to San Francisco in 1968. Felix Schlag's original portrait design, in use since 1938, was approaching its third decade when this die was prepared. Proof dies receive fewer impressions than business strike dies, making doubled die varieties on proof coinage proportionally scarcer in absolute numbers.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die dot near center of Jefferson's collar.
• Reverse: Listed as 1962 Pr 5c WDDR-019.

External References