1962 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-054

Description

Fifty-fourth in the obverse doubled die census for the 1962 Jefferson nickel, WDDO-054 presents close Class II Distorted Hub Doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST. Class II doubling involves rotational displacement between hub impressions, but the "close" modifier indicates the primary and secondary impressions nearly overlap, producing thickened letter contours rather than clearly separated secondary images. Attributed by Brian A. Ribar, a respected Jefferson nickel variety specialist, this variety is specifically identified as a proof issue — the Wexler cross-reference confirms "1962 WDDO-054 Proof," establishing that this die was used exclusively for proof production at the Philadelphia Mint. Proof Jefferson nickel production in 1962 involved specially polished dies and prepared planchets, creating the mirror-field finish that provides maximum contrast for detecting even close-spread doubling on the motto inscription. The obverse carries two diagnostic die dots positioned below the 1 and 9 of the date, while the reverse shows a die gouge below the M of AMERICA — three secondary identification points that collectively fingerprint this specific die pair. Felix Schlag's Jefferson portrait, selected through a 1938 design competition, provides the IN GOD WE TRUST motto along the left rim where the close doubling manifests. The fifty-fourth DDO position for the 1962 date reflects the intensive variety research that Jefferson nickel proofs have attracted from specialists, particularly for early 1960s dates where proof mintages were expanding and collectors were increasingly examining their proof sets for die varieties. Collectors should locate the die dots below 1 and 9 on the obverse and the gouge below M on the reverse before attempting to confirm the subtle close-spread doubling on the motto.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1962 WDDO-054 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References