1967 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-009

Description

Attributed by Whaden Curtis and cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1967 WDDR-009 SMS, this Special Mint Set Jefferson Nickel exhibits Class II Distorted Hub Doubling with a very close spread toward the center visible on OF AMERICA, increasing slightly from left to right across the inscription. The left-to-right intensification pattern reveals the geometric relationship between the hub displacement vector and the curved die face, where letters positioned further from the distortion’s neutral axis show progressively more pronounced separation. The obverse of this die pair is also a listed variety, cataloged as 1967 SMS 5¢ WDDO-004, creating a combination DDO/DDR variety where both sides of the coin carry hub doubling from independent die manufacturing events. Reverse die markers include a small die gouge dot between the upper portions of the R and I of AMERICA, two short nearly horizontal die scratches in the upper portion of the right arch of Monticello, a short die gouge above the upper right portion of the S of CENTS, and two almost vertical die gouges to the left of the upper portion of E in E PLURIBUS UNUM. The 1967 Jefferson Nickel was produced exclusively in Special Mint Sets at the San Francisco Mint during the three-year period (1965–1967) when proof sets were suspended and no mintmarks were used. Felix Schlag designed the Jefferson portrait obverse and Monticello reverse, struck in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. The SMS finish provides superior surface quality compared to business strikes, making the subtle center-directed doubling on OF AMERICA more discernible against the semi-reflective fields characteristic of Special Mint Set production.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• Wexler Variety ID: 1967 WDDR-009 SMS
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References