2005-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-008

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-1641 and DMR-009, the 2005-S Jefferson Nickel Westward Journey DDR-008 exhibits strong spread directed north on the two lowest left branches of the right tree in the American Bison reverse design. The 2005 Westward Journey nickel reverse featuring the American Bison was designed by Jamie Franki and sculpted by Norman E. Nemeth, depicting a bison standing in profile against a prairie landscape with two trees flanking the scene. The strong northward spread on the lowest left branches of the right tree produces clearly doubled branch outlines above their primary positions, creating a visually distinctive variety on this one-year-only commemorative design. Three die stages are identified: Stage A places the reverse in early die state with a die gouge dot to the west of the B in LIBERTY on the obverse, Stage B is mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C is late die state (unconfirmed). The die gouge dot west of B in LIBERTY provides a secondary obverse diagnostic. The 2005-S was struck at the San Francisco Mint as part of the two-year Westward Journey Nickel Series commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition bicentennial, in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams and 21.2 mm diameter. The Bison reverse was one of two 2005 designs (the other being the Ocean in View reverse), each produced for a portion of the year. The strong branch doubling is best examined under 5x to 7x magnification focusing on the lower branches of the rightmost tree.

Die Markers

• UVC-1641
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• Reverse is EDS
• Die gouge dot to the West of the B of LIBERTY – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Edward Fletcher, Jr.
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References