1968-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-018

Description

Timothy Wissert attributed WDDO-018 for the 1968-S Jefferson nickel proof, classifying it as Class I counterclockwise rotated hub doubling with a very nice spread affecting IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the star, the date, and the designer's initials. Notably, the original source description lists IN GOD WE TRUST twice, which may reflect the spread's prominence on the motto -- the doubling there is reportedly strong enough to warrant special emphasis. A small die gouge on the rim to the right of the second T in TRUST marks the obverse die, while a die scratch to the lower right of the long right window on the Monticello reverse provides the companion reverse diagnostic. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1968-S WDDO-018 Proof, this variety joins a crowded field of 1968-S proof Jefferson DDO listings that resulted from San Francisco's first year of resumed proof production after the 1965-67 hiatus. The 3,041,506 proof sets produced in 1968 generated significant collector interest, and the proof die manufacturing process -- which involved multiple careful hubbings to achieve the mirror-finish die face -- paradoxically created numerous opportunities for hub misalignment between impressions. Class I CCW rotation produces spread that displaces doubled images in the clockwise direction relative to the primary design, a pattern distinguishable from CW rotation by examining which side of a letter shows the stronger doubled image. WDDO-018 represents Wissert's independent attribution alongside the Wexler file, reflecting the collaborative nature of modern variety numismatics.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Wexler Variety ID: 1968-S WDDO-018 Proof
• Expert attribution by Timothy Wissert

External References