1969-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-037

Description

Brian Ribar attributed this proof 1969-S Jefferson Nickel doubled die reverse, cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1969-S WDDR-037 Proof. The variety exhibits Class II distorted hub doubling showing as a close spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM and STATES OF AMERICA — the same doubling class found on several other proof Jefferson Nickel varieties from this era. Class II doubling occurs when the hub surface itself deforms during the hubbing process, producing a spread pattern that reflects the physical distortion rather than a simple positional offset. Reverse die markers include a die gouge to the right of the E in E PLURIBUS UNUM and die gouges above both the first and second U of PLURIBUS, while no obverse markers were noted. The 1969-S proof nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint during a historically notable year — 1969 is famous among Lincoln Cent collectors for the extremely rare 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse cent, though this nickel variety is unrelated to that celebrated rarity. Thirty-seven documented doubled die reverses for the 1969-S proof nickel demonstrates the depth of variety research on proof issues, where the sharp strike and mirror fields make subtle hub distortion more readily detectable than on business strikes.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1969-S WDDR-037 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian Ribar

External References