1963 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-017

Description

Originally listed as a separate variety, this WDDO-017 designation was reassigned when the prior listing proved to be a duplication of WDDO-009 — a correction documented by Brian A. Ribar that highlights the ongoing refinement process in die variety attribution. The replacement variety shows Class II (Distorted Hub Doubling) on IN GOD, the star, the date, and the ribbon on the obverse of a 1963 proof Jefferson Nickel. Die markers are limited to a die dot to the lower right of the E of FIVE on the reverse, with no obverse markers noted. Cross-referenced under Wexler Variety ID: 1963 WDDO-017 Proof, the proof designation indicates this variety was struck at the Philadelphia Mint as part of the annual proof set, where coins receive multiple strikes from specially prepared dies on polished planchets. The 1963 proof set had a mintage of approximately 3.08 million, the highest proof set production figure up to that point in Mint history. Seventeen documented doubled die obverses for the 1963 proof Jefferson Nickel demonstrates the remarkable depth of variety research on 1960s proof coinage, where the mirror-like fields and sharply struck devices make even subtle hub doubling more visible than on business strikes. The star element between IN GOD and the date is a particularly useful diagnostic location because its geometric precision reveals even minor die distortion.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 WDDO-017 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References