1964-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Displaying Class II (Distorted Hub) doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST, the 1964-D Jefferson nickel WDDO-005 documents a rotational hub misalignment on Felix Schlag's obverse design where the motto runs along the left rim above Jefferson's portrait. Class II doubling results from a pivot or tilt of the working hub during the secondary impression, generating differential displacement across the die face that varies with distance from the rotation axis. Obverse die markers provide dual diagnostic points: a slanted die gouge positioned to the left of Jefferson's collar and a separate die gouge below the numeral 4 in the date. These two spatially separated gouges — one near the collar, one near the date — create a reliable identification framework for confirming the correct die before evaluating the more subtle motto doubling. The reverse carries its own variety designation, listed as 1964-D 5¢ WDDR-020, establishing this as a dual-attribution die marriage where both the obverse and reverse dies carry independent doubled die classifications. Denver struck approximately 1.79 billion nickels in 1964, the enormous production driven by the nationwide coin shortage that prompted Congress to eliminate silver from dimes and quarters the following year. The dual DDO/DDR status of this die pair significantly elevates its collector interest, as acquiring a specimen simultaneously documents two independent hub doubling events on a single coin. Collectors should first locate the slanted die gouge near Jefferson's collar and the gouge below the 4 to confirm the obverse die, then examine IN GOD WE TRUST under 15-20x magnification for the rotational displacement characteristic of Class II doubling. The reverse should then be evaluated for WDDR-020 characteristics, making this a coin that rewards examination of both sides.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Slanted die gouge to left of Jefferson's collar; die gouge below numeral 4 of date.
• Reverse: Listed as 1964-D 5c WDDR-020.

External References