1971-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Earliest-numbered of the light-spread proof obverse varieties in the 1971-S Jefferson Nickel DDO catalog, DDO-004 carries die markers UVC-1396 and DMR-013, placing it within the initial segment of documented working dies for this prolific proof year. Light spread appears on LIBERTY, the five-pointed star, the date, and Felix Schlag's designer initials FS. The reverse is paired with RDV-006, characterized by prominently defined railings on the Monticello facade — a die-specific feature distinguishing this reverse from others in 1971-S proof production. Struck at the San Francisco Mint on polished planchets with polished dies, DDO-004 benefits from high-contrast mirror fields that make even light doubling more detectable than on business strikes. The 1971-S proof nickel was issued exclusively in proof sets, so every surviving example was preserved from manufacture. Collectors should examine LIBERTY and the date under at least 7x magnification to catch the subtle displacement.

Die Markers

• UVC-1396; DMR-013

External References