1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-022

Description

Nice spread toward the center on LIBERTY, the star, the date, and the designer's initials defines this 1971-S Proof Jefferson Nickel WDDO-022, where the secondary hub impression shifted inward to produce center-directed doubling across four obverse elements. Felix Schlag's FS initials, added to the Jefferson Nickel obverse beginning in 1966, provide an additional diagnostic zone that earlier-date varieties lack. Attributed by Gary G. Wagnon and cross-referenced as Wexler 1971-S WDDO-022 Proof, the variety carries a short horizontal die gouge on the bottom front of the coat near the rim on the obverse and a vertical die gouge just left of center of the E of STATES on the reverse. These markers on opposite sides of the coin help confirm the correct die pair from among the many proof die pairs used for 1971-S nickel production. Twenty-two cataloged doubled die obverses for the 1971-S proof nickel reflects the extraordinary concentration of variety research on early 1970s San Francisco proof issues, where controlled mintage figures and collector preservation created an ideal environment for systematic die-by-die documentation of hub doubling anomalies.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Gary G. Wagnon
• Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S WDDO-022 Proof
• Expert attribution by Gary G. Wagnon

External References