1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-019

Description

Attributed by Gary G. Wagnon and carrying the Wexler Variety ID 1971-S WDDO-019 Proof, this Class II doubled die obverse was struck on a 1971-S proof Jefferson nickel at the San Francisco Mint. The Jefferson nickel is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter. San Francisco produced 3,220,733 proof sets in 1971, continuing the facility's exclusive role in proof production that began in 1968. The Class II (distorted hub) doubling on WDDO-019 manifests as a close constant spread toward the center on IN GOD WE TRUST, an extremely close constant spread toward the center on LIBERTY, the star, and the date, and a close spread on Felix Schlag's designer's initials FS beneath the bust. The varying intensity of the spread — close on some elements, extremely close on others — indicates the hub deformation produced greater displacement in certain areas of the die than others, creating a gradient of doubling strength across the obverse surface. This variety is additionally a dual-sided doubled die: the reverse of this die pairing is also cataloged as a doubled die, listed as 1971-S Pr 5¢ WDDR-023, meaning both the obverse and reverse of this specific die combination exhibit their own independently produced hub doubling. The obverse die marker is a strong diagonal die gouge in Jefferson's outermost hair beneath the letters LIB of LIBERTY, a prominent feature that aids rapid attribution screening. Gary G. Wagnon's systematic study of proof Jefferson nickel varieties from the late 1960s and early 1970s identified numerous important doubled dies, and WDDO-019's dual-sided nature makes it a particularly significant entry in the 1971-S proof nickel census. Collectors who locate this variety effectively acquire two distinct doubled die attributions — obverse and reverse — on a single coin.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Gary G. Wagnon
• Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S WDDO-019 Proof
• Expert attribution by Gary G. Wagnon

External References