1963 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-096

Description

Originally listed as WDDR-231 before replacing the delisted original WDDR-096 (which duplicated WDDR-006), this Class II Distorted Hub Doubling on the 1963 Jefferson nickel was attributed by Brian A. Ribar. The distorted hub mechanism produces doubling that increases in magnitude from left to right across the reverse legends E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, a directional gradient characteristic of Class II varieties where the hub face is slightly warped rather than simply misaligned. Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse, with its architectural lettering arranged in sweeping arcs, provides abundant fine detail where such progressive spreading becomes measurable. The sole confirmed reverse die marker is a die gouge situated below the N of UNUM, with no significant obverse markers noted. Philadelphia struck over 178 million nickels in 1963 — the final year before mintmarks returned to the denomination in 1968 — and the sheer volume of die pairs created that year explains why the WDDR catalog for this date extends well past 200 entries. Attribution requires careful comparison under magnification, particularly distinguishing the leftward-diminishing Class II spread from the uniform spread patterns of Class I varieties.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 WDDR-096
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References