1968-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-017

Description

Seventeenth in the obverse doubled die census for the 1968-S Jefferson nickel, DDO-017 displays medium spread across a comprehensive array of obverse design elements: IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the star, the date, and Felix Schlag's designer initials (FS). The breadth of affected elements — spanning both the upper motto, the left-side inscription, the decorative star, the date numerals, and the designer's monogram — indicates a substantial hub misalignment that displaced the secondary impression across nearly the full obverse field. VarietyVista assigned die identifiers UVC-1339 and DMR-023, documenting three die stages: Stage A with both obverse and reverse at early die state, Stage B where both surfaces show mid die state characteristics, and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). However, the comments section carries an important caveat: "Generic Listing. No identifiable markers." This notation indicates that while the doubled die characteristics are confirmed, no unique obverse or reverse die markers have been identified that would allow positive attribution of individual specimens to this specific die. San Francisco struck approximately 100.4 million Jefferson nickels in 1968, the first year of resumed S-mint proof and business strike nickel production after the 1965-1967 period when mintmarks were removed from all coins. Without distinctive die scratches, cracks, or gouges to serve as secondary diagnostics, collectors must rely exclusively on the doubled die characteristics themselves — the medium spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, star, date, and FS initials — when attempting to attribute specimens to DDO-017. Magnification of 10-15x focused on the motto and LIBERTY inscriptions will reveal the secondary hub impression displaced from the primary design at medium spread intensity.

Die Markers

• UVC-1339
• DMR-023
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References