1964-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-007

Description

Attributed by John A. Wexler himself — the founder of the Wexler die variety cataloging system — WDDR-007 on the 1964-D Jefferson Nickel displays Class II distorted hub doubling on the reverse inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Class II doubling is produced when the hub distorts slightly during the hubbing process, typically due to metal flow under the extreme pressures involved, creating a spread that converges toward the center of the design rather than radiating uniformly. The diagnostic die markers for this working die concentrate on the reverse: a series of die scratches inside the right arch of Monticello, long die scratches above the F of OF and the AM of AMERICA, and a die scratch between the P and L of PLURIBUS. No obverse die markers have been noted, placing authentication emphasis on the reverse characteristics. The 1964-D Jefferson Nickel occupies a pivotal year in U.S. numismatics — it was the last year of the original pre-1965 coinage composition system before the Coinage Act of 1965, and Denver produced an enormous quantity of nickels to satisfy demand during the coin shortage of the mid-1960s. The denomination's 75% copper, 25% nickel composition remained unchanged (unlike the silver denominations that switched to clad), but the production pressures contributed to accelerated die usage and correspondingly more opportunities for hubbing anomalies. Cataloged as Wexler Variety ID 1964-D WDDR-007, this variety rewards examination at 7x or greater magnification focused on the E PLURIBUS UNUM inscription where the Class II convergent spread is most pronounced.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1964-D WDDR-007
• Expert attribution by John A. Wexler

External References