1963 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-045

Description

Attributed by Frank Baumann and cataloged as Wexler Variety ID 1963 WDDR-045, this Jefferson Nickel reverse die exhibits Class II distorted hub doubling with dual directional gradients: doubling on E PLURIBUS UNUM increases from left to right, while doubling on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA decreases from left to right. These opposing gradients — increasing spread moving rightward on the motto, decreasing spread moving rightward on the national inscription — create a crossed pattern that maps the tilt geometry of the distorted hub with unusual precision. The tilt axis evidently ran through the reverse die at an angle that placed the maximum distortion point between the two inscriptions on the right side, generating maximum offset at the rightward end of E PLURIBUS UNUM (above the tilt axis) while simultaneously placing the leftward end of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (also above the tilt axis but on the opposite side of the maximum offset point) at the position of greatest displacement for that inscription. No obverse die markers have been documented. Reverse die markers include die scratches to the right of the first L and to the right of the second L of MONTICELLO — two parallel markers flanking the double-L letter pair in the building name — plus a die scratch between the upper portions of the first and second columns of the Monticello portico. This column-area die scratch sits within the architectural detail of Felix Schlag's reverse design, where it is framed by the vertical column lines and readily distinguishable from surrounding design elements. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 75% copper / 25% nickel at 5 grams, the 1963 Jefferson Nickel's WDDR-045 designation reflects the extensive variety research conducted on this pre-clad-transition date.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann
• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 WDDR-045
• Expert attribution by Frank Baumann

External References