2015 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Class VIII tilted hub doubling along the top of the left side of the door frame on the center door above the steps of Monticello characterizes this second Wexler-attributed doubled die reverse for the 2015 Jefferson Nickel. Die markers provide definitive attribution diagnostics: the obverse shows a die crack running northwest-southeast through Jefferson's hair on the bottom right side (viewer's left) of the head, while the reverse exhibits a short die gouge north of the F of FIVE. The obverse die crack is particularly notable as a secondary attribution aid because it establishes the specific die pair beyond doubt — even if the doubling is subtle, the crack pattern confirms the attribution. Class VIII doubling results from a slight angular tilt of the hub relative to the die during hubbing, producing a rotational spread that concentrates along the straight architectural lines of the Monticello doorway. The 2015 Jefferson Nickel belongs to the Return to Monticello design period that began in 2006, and WDDR-002 as a low sequence number indicates this was among the earliest doubled die reverses identified for the date. The Return to Monticello design has proved particularly productive for doubled die research because the building's geometric precision makes even minor hub displacement detectable when examining the door frames, columns, and windows under magnification.

Die Markers

• Obverse: Die crack running NNW/SSE through Jefferson's hair on bottom right side (viewer's left) of head.
• Reverse: Short die gouge north of F of FIVE.

External References