1970-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-011

Description

Proof-only variety from the San Francisco Mint, this eleventh doubled die reverse for the 1970-S Jefferson Nickel exhibits Class II Distorted Hub Doubling — a very close spread visible on E PLURIBUS UNUM across the Monticello reverse. Class II doubling results from a distortion in the working hub itself rather than a simple misalignment between hub and die, producing a characteristic pattern where the spread varies across different areas of the design depending on the geometry of the distortion. The Wexler variety identification is 1970-S WDDR-011 Proof, confirming this variety occurs exclusively on proof strikes produced at San Francisco. Die markers for attribution include two short die gouges to the upper right of the small left window on the reverse, plus a die dot below the M of MONTICELLO — features that distinguish this specific die from the other ten documented DDR dies for the date. No significant obverse markers were noted. Originally attributed by Ben Peters, this variety joins a substantial catalog of proof Jefferson Nickel doubled dies from the late 1960s and early 1970s — a period when San Francisco was the sole proof production facility and the multi-impression hubbing process generated numerous doubled die varieties. The 1970-S proof nickel carries Felix Schlag's original Jefferson portrait obverse and Monticello reverse design that had been in continuous use since 1938, and the familiar E PLURIBUS UNUM inscription along the Monticello facade proved particularly susceptible to showing Class II distortion spreads.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ben Peters
• Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S WDDR-011 Proof
• Expert attribution by Ben Peters

External References