1962 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-015

Description

Attributed by Whaden Curtis and cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1962 WDDR-015, this Class II distorted hub variety on the 1962 Jefferson Nickel displays a very nice spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with a closer spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM, both increasing from left to right. Die markers include no noted obverse features, while the reverse shows a die dot in the left arch of Monticello, a die scratch above the left porch, and a slanted die gouge on the lower left side of the P of PLURIBUS. The three reverse markers — a dot, a scratch, and a gouge, each at different positions on the Monticello facade — provide a triple-point authentication framework that uniquely identifies this working die with high reliability. The "very nice" qualifier on the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA spread indicates this variety is more visually prominent than varieties described with "close" or "light" spread, placing it among the more readily detectable DDRs in the 1962 Jefferson Nickel catalog. The progressive left-to-right increase follows the Class II distorted hub pattern where hub warping creates a displacement gradient across the die face. The 1962 Jefferson Nickel was struck at the Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark) in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.00 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter, during the final years of the pre-1965 era when proof and business strike compositions were identical. Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse provides the architectural detail — arches, porches, windows, and dome — where both the doubling and the die markers concentrate. Collectors should examine the P of PLURIBUS for the slanted die gouge as the quickest authentication check before assessing the spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA under 7x to 10x magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• Wexler Variety ID: 1962 WDDR-015
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References