2005 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-048

Description

Attributed by Edward Fletcher, Jr. and carrying the Wexler Variety ID 2005 P WDDR-048 Satin Finish Ocean in View, this doubled die reverse variety was struck at the Philadelphia Mint on a 2005 Westward Journey Jefferson nickel with the Ocean in View reverse design. The Westward Journey nickel series, produced in 2004 and 2005, commemorated the Lewis and Clark expedition with special obverse and reverse designs. The 2005 Ocean in View reverse, designed by Joe Fitzgerald and sculpted by Donna Weaver, depicts a view of the Pacific Ocean as seen by the Corps of Discovery upon reaching the coast, with the inscription "Ocean in view! O! The joy!" adapted from William Clark's journal entry. This Satin Finish specimen was included in the 2005 Mint Set, which featured a special satin finish striking process that gave coins a distinctive matte-like appearance different from both business strikes and proofs. The coin is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.2 mm diameter. The doubling on this variety results from hub misalignment during die preparation, producing visible doubling on the reverse design. The specific nature of the doubling requires examination of the Ocean in View landscape elements where hub displacement manifests. Edward Fletcher, Jr.'s attribution work on this variety contributes to the documentation of Westward Journey nickel doubled dies, a relatively focused collecting area given the two-year production window for these special designs. The Satin Finish designation further narrows the production source, as these coins were exclusively produced for the annual Mint Set rather than circulation, limiting the total population available for variety examination.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Edward Fletcher, Jr.
• Unknown; Wexler Variety ID: 2005 P WDDR-048 Satin Finish Ocean in View
• Expert attribution by Edward Fletcher, Jr.

External References