2023 Doubled Master Die WDMD-001

Description

Representing the rarest and most fundamental level of die doubling in U.S. coinage, the 2023 Jefferson Nickel WDMD-001 documents Class VIII tilted hub doubling on the master die itself — the die from which all working hubs are created, which in turn produce all working dies. Unlike a standard doubled die obverse or reverse (WDDO/WDDR), where only a single working die carries the doubling, master die doubling means every working die derived from the affected master carries the doubled image, and therefore every coin struck from any of those dies exhibits the doubling. The Class VIII designation indicates the hub entered the master die at a slight tilt during one of the hubbing impressions, creating angular displacement. The diagnostic shows at the bottom left-hand corner of the right arch of the Monticello building on the reverse. Attributed by Brian Sims, this variety is cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 2023 Doubled Master Die. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 75% copper and 25% nickel at 5.0 grams, bearing Felix Schlag's classic obverse portrait and Monticello reverse. Master die doubling is exceptionally uncommon to identify because the universality of the effect across all dies can make it appear normal. Examine the bottom left corner of the right arch of Monticello for the tilted hub doubling.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Sims
• Wexler Variety ID: 2023 Doubled Master Die
• Expert attribution by Brian Sims

External References