1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-013

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Verified LegacyDoubled Die Obverse

Market Value

N/A

Rarity Index

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Discovery Date

1963

Last Sold

N/A

Description

Thirteenth obverse doubled die documented for the 1963 Jefferson nickel, WDDO-013 presents Class II (Distorted Hub) doubling with close spread on the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on Felix Schlag's obverse design. Class II doubling produces a distinctively different visual signature than the more common Class I (Rotated Hub) mechanism — rather than clean directional displacement, distorted hub doubling creates irregularly thickened or warped letter forms where the hub surface itself underwent localized distortion during the die-sinking process. Philadelphia struck approximately 178.9 million nickels in 1963, the penultimate year before the coin shortage crisis that would temporarily halt mintmark usage on all denominations from 1965 through 1967. Two die markers aid in confirming this variety: the obverse shows a short slanted die scratch on Jefferson's collar, and the reverse carries a die dent below the small left window of the Monticello facade. These diagnostics are particularly valuable for a close-spread Class II variety where the doubling itself is subtle, as they provide die-specific fingerprints that can be verified before the more challenging task of confirming the faint hub distortion on IN GOD WE TRUST. Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse — depicting Thomas Jefferson's Virginia estate — contains numerous architectural details including windows, columns, and the distinctive dome that provide both the reverse die dent diagnostic and a wealth of reference points for establishing strike quality and die state. Collectors should begin by checking for the slanted die scratch on Jefferson's collar and the die dent below the left window to confirm the correct die, then examine each letter of IN GOD WE TRUST under 15-20x magnification for the irregular thickening characteristic of Class II distortion, paying particular attention to curved letter elements where hub distortion is typically most visible.