1968 - 5 Cents Doubled Die Obverse

Class 4 doubling on Obverse of 1968 Canadian Nickel
by D. Lavoie

I was fortunate to buy a lot of un-searched circulated nickels at my last community coin show. Often, after looking at coins for a certain amount of time with my microscope and I'm about to call it quits, I stumble upon a coin that calls for my immediate attention. Well, this was one of those times when I found this beautiful 1968 doubled die obverse.

I verified the web and variety books for any record of a doubled die for a 1968 5 cents. Although inconclusive, it might have been an oversight or falsely identified as doubling due to Die Deterioration.

The 1968 DDO exhibits a strong Class IV spread offset to the south east on ELIZABETH II, the dots, and the left side of the queen's neck. Sheriff separations are most noticeable on the letters E and L.

Under light magnification (20x), the doubled die obverse can be recognized by observing the bold effect on the letters A and B but careful examination is required to rule out doubling due to Die Deterioration which exists for this date. Under heavy magnification (100x), slight doubling can be observed elsewhere on the right side of the obverse especially in the diadem, hair, D.G., and R of REGINA.

After 49 years, either this doubled die is very rare or just went unnoticed but it is one of the best examples I have seen on Queen Elizabeth II 1965-1989 Canadian 5 cents era.






Doubled ELIZABETH II


Normal ELIZABETH II