1969-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-031

Description

Thirty-first doubled die reverse for the 1969-S Proof Jefferson Nickel, WDDR-031 shows Class II Distorted Hub Doubling on E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The Wexler variety identification is 1969-S WDDR-031 Proof, attributed by William Hostutler. Die markers supporting attribution include a slanted die scratch on Jefferson's collar on the obverse, and a die gouge to the upper left of the P of PLURIBUS on the reverse — both distinctive features that help differentiate this die from the other thirty documented DDR dies for the date. Class II doubling results from a physical deformation of the working hub, creating a spread pattern that varies organically across the design surface rather than showing the uniform displacement characteristic of simple rotational or offset misalignment. The 1969-S proof nickel was struck at San Francisco during the second full year after proof production resumed at that facility following the 1965-1967 suspension. San Francisco's proof dies underwent the same multi-impression hubbing process as business strike dies, but the controlled proof production environment — slower press speeds, multiple strikes per coin, polished dies and planchets — meant that die varieties were preserved with exceptional clarity on proof surfaces. Thirty-one DDR varieties for 1969-S continues the pattern of prolific doubled die documentation on proof Jefferson Nickels of this era. William Hostutler's attribution of this variety contributes to the collaborative research effort that has built the extensive proof nickel variety catalog spanning the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Attribution History

• Discovered by William Hostutler
• Wexler Variety ID: 1969-S WDDR-031 Proof
• Expert attribution by William Hostutler

External References