1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Proof Jefferson Nickels of the early 1960s were struck with meticulous care at Philadelphia, and this 1963 WDDO-003 reveals Class II Distorted Hub Doubling as spread toward the center on IN GOD WE TRUST and the hair details above the front of Jefferson's forehead, increasing from left to right. The concentration of doubling on both the motto and the portrait's hair creates a dual diagnostic zone spanning the upper obverse. Obverse die markers include several short die gouges running northwest from the bottom of the S in TRUST and a short diagonal die gouge on the front bottom of Jefferson's collar. The reverse shows no noted markers. Attributed by Peter Beane, this proof variety demonstrates how distorted hub doubling can simultaneously affect inscription and design elements when the hub flexes during die production. The increasing left-to-right pattern across TRUST helps distinguish genuine hub doubling from mechanical doubling, which typically shows flat, shelf-like displacement rather than the graduated spread seen here.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Peter Beane
• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 WDDO-003 Proof
• Expert attribution by Peter Beane

External References