2018 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

First cataloged doubled die reverse for the 2018 Philadelphia Mint Jefferson Nickel, this variety displays Class VIII tilted hub doubling below the upper portion of the door frame on the center door above the steps of Monticello. Class VIII doubling arises when the hub is seated at a slight angular tilt relative to the die blank during hubbing, producing a rotational displacement rather than the straight-line spread seen in Class I through Class V varieties. The key reverse die markers include a large die chip inside the left arch, a large die chip on the edge of the left side of the building, and a small die chip to the left of the F in designer Felix Schlag's initials FS. No significant obverse die markers were noted. The 2018 date falls within the Return to Monticello era of Jefferson Nickels, which restored the Monticello reverse in 2006 after the temporary Westward Journey designs of 2004-2005. As the first WDDR entry for this date, it establishes the beginning of what may become a longer sequence as additional 2018-P reverses are examined by specialists. The concentration of doubling on architectural elements of Monticello — particularly the door frame and steps — reflects how the highest-relief portions of a die design are most susceptible to visible displacement during tilted hub contact.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: Large die chip inside left arch; large die chip on edge of left side of building; small die chip to left of F of designer's initials FS.

External References