1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-021

Description

Identified by Brian A. Ribar as a Class II (Distorted Hub Doubling) variety, the 1962 Jefferson Nickel WDDO-021 is a proof issue displaying very nice Class II doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST with closer doubling visible on LIBERTY. Class II doubling results from a distorted or tilted hub during the die-making process, producing doubling that varies in magnitude across the die face — typically strongest in one area and diminishing toward the opposite side. The obverse die markers include a small die dot below the G of GOD, while the reverse shows an L-shaped die gouge on the upper right portion of the Monticello dome. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1962 WDDO-021 Proof, this variety comes from the era when all proof sets were produced at the Philadelphia Mint, prior to the 1968 transfer of proof operations to San Francisco. The 1962 proof set had a distribution of approximately 3.22 million sets, ensuring substantial availability for variety research. Twenty-one documented doubled die obverses on the 1962 proof nickel reflects the number of obverse proof dies employed and the consistent interest that variety researchers bring to proof Jefferson Nickel dies. The Class II mechanism produces a characteristically uneven doubling pattern, and the description of "very nice" doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST with "closer" doubling on LIBERTY indicates the hub distortion produced stronger displacement at the motto area and diminished effect toward the LIBERTY inscription, consistent with the graduated nature of Class II varieties.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1962 WDDO-021 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References