1969-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-015

Description

Attributed by Brian A. Ribar under Wexler Variety ID 1969-S WDDR-015 Proof, this proof-only San Francisco Mint Jefferson Nickel displays Class II distorted hub doubling with close spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM that increases slightly from left to right, along with slight doubling on OF AMERICA. Class II doubled dies result from distortion of the hub or working die during the hubbing process, and the left-to-right progression of increasing spread intensity is a hallmark signature of this class where the distortion effect varies by position. The reverse shows a die gouge to the lower left of the second T in STATES as its primary die marker, while no significant obverse markers were noted. The 1969-S proof Jefferson Nickel was struck during the second year of proof production at San Francisco, as the facility had assumed proof coinage responsibility from Philadelphia starting in 1968. The 1969-S issue is historically significant in variety collecting because it shares its date year with the famous 1969-S Lincoln Cent doubled die obverse — one of the most valuable modern U.S. error coins — which focused intense public and collector attention on San Francisco Mint coins from this year. Fifteen documented Wexler doubled die reverses for the proof 1969-S nickel indicates substantial hubbing variation among the proof dies prepared for this year's production, with Ribar's careful attribution documenting each distinct doubled die pairing.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian A. Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1969-S WDDR-015 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian A. Ribar

External References