2005 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-053

Description

Attributed by Michael Sulinski and cataloged as 2005-P WDDR-053 Satin Finish Ocean in View, this Jefferson Nickel doubled die reverse was struck as part of the 2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series — one of four special reverse designs produced in 2004 and 2005 to commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition's bicentennial. The "Ocean in View" reverse, designed by Joe Fitzgerald and sculpted by Donna Weaver, depicts the Pacific coastline that the Corps of Discovery reached in November 1805, with Captain Clark's famous journal entry adapted as the coin's motto. The Satin Finish designation indicates this coin came from the 2005 Uncirculated Mint Set, which featured a special matte-like surface treatment distinct from both business strikes and proof finishes. Reverse die markers include a die gouge dot inside the upper right portion of the O in OCEAN, a small die dot on the lower right side of the first N of UNUM, a small die dot above the first S of STATES, a small die dot above the E of STATES near the rim, a small die dot to the lower left of the trunk of the target tree, and a small die dot below the fifth wave — six distinct markers distributed across the pictorial reverse design. No significant obverse die markers were noted. The Jefferson Nickel was struck in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. The 53rd cataloged doubled die reverse for the 2005 date demonstrates the remarkable variety count that can emerge even from a commemorative reverse design used for a single year, as the Mint's high production volume generated a substantial working die population.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Michael Sulinski
• Unknown; Wexler Variety ID: 2005 P WDDR-053 Satin Finish Ocean in View
• Expert attribution by Michael Sulinski

External References