1967 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar under Wexler Variety ID 1967 WDDO-008 SMS, this Jefferson Nickel was struck as part of the Special Mint Set program that replaced standard proof sets during 1965-1967 while the U.S. Mint reorganized its operations and transitioned to clad coinage. The obverse exhibits Class II distorted hub doubling visible on the designer's initials FS (for Felix Schlag), and the letters IN GOD of the motto. Obverse die markers include a short die gouge to the right of the second T in TRUST. Reverse die markers are notable: a series of die dots appear above the left arch of Monticello, with a small die dot also visible inside the right long window. The 1967 SMS Jefferson Nickel is part of a three-year Special Mint Set production that used enhanced striking quality but fell short of true proof standards. SMS coins were struck on specially selected planchets with polished dies, and the intermediate quality makes them distinctive in the Jefferson Nickel series. Class II distorted hub doubling on the FS initials is particularly interesting because these tiny letters sit at the base of Jefferson's shoulder truncation, an area where slight hub distortion produces detectable but subtle variations. The series of die dots above the left arch provides a distinctive fingerprint for this specific obverse die, as die dots form from small pits in the die surface that produce raised bumps on struck coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1967 WDDO-008 SMS
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References