1981-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Primary doubled die reverse for the 1981 Denver Mint Jefferson Nickel, DDR-001 exhibits strong spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM with lighter doubling on FIVE CENTS — a distribution pattern suggesting the hub shift was most pronounced in the peripheral lettering regions. Cataloged by VarietyVista with UVC-1462 and DMR-003 designations, this variety's die markers include a die scratch running southeast through UN of UNITED in the early die state, providing a key attribution point for Stage A identification. Three die states are documented: Stage A in early die state with the diagnostic scratch and EDS obverse, Stage B in mid-die-state (unconfirmed), and Stage C in late die state (unconfirmed). The notation that this variety can be found in Mint Sets is significant — 1981-D nickels were included in that year's official Uncirculated Mint Sets, and many doubled die discoveries have been sourced from Mint Set coins because they are preserved in higher grades than typical circulation examples. The 1981-D Jefferson Nickel was struck during a period when Denver maintained robust nickel production, and the strong spread visible on the reverse lettering makes DDR-001 one of the more dramatic doubled die reverses in the series. The unconfirmed Stage B and Stage C designations indicate that researchers have identified evidence suggesting these later die states exist but have not yet obtained specimens for definitive documentation.

Die Markers

• UVC1462
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• Die scratch Southeast through UN of UNITED – EDS
• Obverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by William O'Hare
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References