1969-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-041

Description

Brian Ribar attributed this Class II distorted hub doubling variety on the 1969-S proof Jefferson nickel, where a close spread manifests on OF AMERICA and UNUM on the Monticello reverse. The Wexler catalog reference is 1969-S WDDR-041 Proof. No obverse die markers were noted, but the reverse carries a constellation of four die gouges that serve as attribution fingerprints: one inside the lower portion of the E of E PLURIBUS UNUM, one to the upper left of the P of PLURIBUS, one to the lower left of the D of UNITED, and one on the left side of the last A in AMERICA. Class II distorted hub doubling occurs when the working hub's physical geometry changes slightly between successive impressions on the die — whether through wear, heating, or mechanical stress — so that the second impression does not perfectly overlay the first, producing close spread on design elements rather than the broad directional displacement typical of Class I rotated doubling. The 1969-S proof nickel was produced at the San Francisco Mint on polished planchets, and proof surfaces provide ideal conditions for detecting close spread since the mirrored fields create high contrast against any extra thickness on raised design elements. The four reverse die gouges distributed across PLURIBUS, UNITED, and AMERICA give collectors multiple quick-check points before committing to detailed spread analysis under magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Ribar
• Wexler Variety ID: 1969-S WDDR-041 Proof
• Expert attribution by Brian Ribar

External References