1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-027

Description

Attributed by Whaden Curtis and designated Wexler Variety ID 1971-S WDDO-027 Proof, this twenty-seventh doubled die obverse for the 1971-S proof Jefferson Nickel displays Class II distorted hub doubling with a very close spread toward the center on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, the star, the date, and the designer's initials. What makes this variety particularly notable is that its reverse die is itself a doubled die — listed separately as 1971-S Pr 5c WDDR-037 — making this a dual doubled die pair where both the obverse and reverse carry independently documented hub doubling. Dual doubled die pairings are uncommon because they require two separately misaligned dies to be paired together by chance during production setup. No significant obverse die markers have been noted. The 1971-S proof nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint, which held exclusive responsibility for proof production during this period. Twenty-seven documented proof doubled die obverses for a single date is a remarkably high count, suggesting that proof die preparation in the early 1970s involved hubbing conditions prone to slight distortion. The Class II spread toward the center indicates hub deformation between impressions, producing a converging displacement pattern across all affected design elements rather than the directional shift characteristic of Class I rotated hub doubling.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Whaden Curtis
• Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S WDDO-027 Proof
• Expert attribution by Whaden Curtis

External References