1963 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-011

Description

Nice Class II distorted hub doubling on E PLURIBUS UNUM distinguishes this 1963 proof Jefferson Nickel doubled die reverse, attributed by John A. Wexler under Wexler Variety ID 1963 WDDR-011 Proof. The proof designation is significant — this variety originates from the specially prepared dies used to strike proof coins at the Philadelphia Mint for inclusion in 1963 proof sets, and doubled dies on proof coinage are markedly rarer than on business strikes because proof dies produced far fewer impressions before retirement. Class II doubling results from hub distortion where the working hub is slightly warped or flexed, causing design elements to shift asymmetrically between hubbing impressions. The reverse die markers include two die stage indicators: Stage A shows a short die gouge to the left of the first A of AMERICA, while Stage B develops a die dot inside the left arch and another die dot to the lower right of the N of MONTICELLO — these progressive markers help identify which die stage a given specimen represents. The 1963 proof Jefferson Nickel was the penultimate proof issue before the Mint suspended proof production from 1965 through 1967 during the transition to clad coinage. Over 3.0 million proof sets were produced in 1963, but the small number of coins struck from any individual proof die means that specimens of WDDR-011 are scarce relative to business strike doubled dies from the same era.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1963 WDDR-011 Proof
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References