2005 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-018

Description

Very strong extra thickness across all lettering and design elements distinguishes this 2005 Philadelphia Jefferson Nickel Bison reverse doubled die — one of the more broadly affected DDRs in the Westward Journey series. Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDR-018 with die classification UVC-1576 and die marriage DMR-021, both obverse and reverse are documented in early die state with later states unconfirmed. The "very strong" characterization is significant: while many doubled dies show spread limited to specific inscriptions or design features, DDR-018 affects virtually everything on the reverse — a comprehensive hub displacement that strengthened all design elements uniformly. This variety can be found in Satin Finish Mint Sets from 2005. The 2005 Bison reverse, designed by Jamie Franki, was one of two special reverses used that year as part of the Westward Journey Nickel Series commemorating Lewis and Clark's expedition — featuring an American bison evoking the vast herds encountered on the journey. This was only the second time the bison appeared on a U.S. nickel since the Buffalo Nickel's 1938 discontinuation. Joe Fitzgerald's "Peace Medal" obverse replaced Schlag's portrait for the 2005 series. Struck on 75% copper, 25% nickel at 21.2mm. The very strong extra thickness should be visible across all reverse inscriptions and the bison design without magnification.

Die Markers

• UVC-1576
• DMR-021
• Stage A:
• Reverse and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Kenneth Russell
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References