1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-056

Description

Deep in the obverse doubled die census for the 1962 Jefferson nickel, WDDO-056 exhibits Class II Distorted Hub Doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST — Felix Schlag's motto inscription positioned along the left rim of the obverse above Jefferson's portrait. Class II doubling in the Wexler classification system results from a rotational pivot between hub impressions, where the working hub rotated slightly around a center point during the secondary impression, creating displacement that varies proportionally with distance from the axis of rotation. The reverse die carries distinctive diagnostic markers: two slanted die scratches positioned to the left of the large center semicircular window on Monticello, plus an additional die scratch to the left of the small right window. These architectural reference points on Schlag's Monticello depiction provide precise locational diagnostics for confirming the correct die. No significant obverse die markers were noted beyond the doubling itself. Philadelphia struck approximately 97.38 million nickels in 1962, a moderate production run. The WDDO-056 designation — the fifty-sixth cataloged obverse doubled die for the 1962 date — reflects the extraordinary depth of die variety documentation that Jefferson nickels of this era have received from specialists. The 1962 date falls within the proof-era production years when both business strikes and proof coins were produced at Philadelphia, and the absence of a proof notation suggests this variety appears on circulation-strike specimens. Collectors should first locate the two slanted scratches near Monticello's center window on the reverse to confirm the die identity, then examine IN GOD WE TRUST under 15-20x magnification for the Class II rotational displacement characteristic.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Two slanted die scratches to left of large center semicircular window; die scratch to left of small right window.

External References