1970-D Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Primary doubled die reverse for the 1970 Denver Mint Jefferson Nickel, WDDR-001 exhibits Class II Distorted Hub Doubling on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the doubling intensity increasing from left to right and showing most prominently on AMERICA. Extremely close doubling also appears on E PLURIBUS UNUM, though this requires careful examination to distinguish from the normal design. Specific die markers aid attribution: the obverse shows no noted markers, while the reverse displays a slanted die scratch below the right leg of M in UNUM and die scratches in and above the right arch of the Monticello building. Felix Schlag's reverse design of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home, with its detailed architectural elements and surrounding lettering, provides multiple zones where Class II hub doubling can manifest. The 1970 Denver Nickel was produced during an era when the Jefferson Nickel design had been in continuous use for over thirty years, and the combination of familiar design elements with subtle variety characteristics makes these coins a productive hunting ground for variety collectors. Distorted hub doubling — where the hub flexes slightly during the impression process — tends to show increasing spread away from the center of the die, which explains the progressive intensification visible from left to right across AMERICA.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Slanted die scratch below right leg of M of UNUM; die scratches in and above right arch.

External References