2005-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1626 and DMR-005, DDR-004 on the 2005-S Jefferson Nickel displays a strong spread south manifesting as a portion of the three lower branches of the right tree — the American Bison/Ocean in View reverse design from the Westward Journey series. Three die stages have been identified: Stage A shows the reverse in early die state with three short die gouges at the rim in Jefferson's hair on the obverse (also in early die state), Stage B in mid die state remains unconfirmed, and Stage C in late die state is unconfirmed. The three die gouges at the rim in Jefferson's hair at Stage A provide the primary obverse die identification markers. The 2005-S Jefferson Nickel was struck at the San Francisco Mint as a proof issue in standard copper-nickel composition — 75% copper and 25% nickel — weighing 5.0 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. The Westward Journey series (2004-2005) featured temporary obverse and reverse designs commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Louisiana Purchase, departing from Felix Schlag's traditional Monticello reverse. The strong southward spread on the tree branches is particularly diagnostic because the organic, irregular forms of tree limbs provide distinctive reference shapes where any displacement creates visibly doubled branch structures that cannot be mistaken for design intent. As a proof issue, the mirror-like fields enhance contrast against the frosted design elements, making the doubled tree branches more readily visible than they would be on a business strike surface.

Die Markers

• UVC-1626
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Reverse is EDS
• Three short die gouges at the rim in Jefferson's hair – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Kenneth Russell
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References