1919 Nickel, is it a DDO?

msk914

I have a collection of Buffalo Nickels, all encapsulated, and most bought 20+ years ago. Among them is a 1919, MS65, in an NGC holder. I've noticed that many more varieties are recognized now by the grading services; and in particular, both NGC and PCGS recognize 1919 DDOs, they appear to be somewhat rare.

My 1919 nickel has doubling, I always assumed that the doubling was strike doubling, but the coin exhibits the same doubled areas as those given the DDO variety by PCGS.

Here is a link to an example: https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1919-5c-ddo-fs-101/569446

NGC lists two varieties, VP-001: https://www.ngccoin.com/variety-plus/united-states/nickels/buffalo-five-cents-1913-1938/819805/?page=1 and VP-002: https://www.ngccoin.com/variety-plus/united-states/nickels/buffalo-five-cents-1913-1938/820316/

They correspond to CONECA DDO-002 and 003. My coin seems to correspond to DDO-001, per listing I found on variety vista:

http://www.varietyvista.com/03 Buffalo Nickels/DDO 1919.htm

I could just enjoy the coin as I have, along with its companions. Or I could send it to PCGS or NGC for attribution.

I've attached a bunch of photos, what do people think? I am a bit stumped...

thanks,

Mark

may

It looks like machine doubling to me.

jmlanzaf

@Ownerofawheatiehorde said:
It looks like machine doubling to me.

Me, too

Steven59

Poster child for MD

msk914

Thank you all. How can you tell the difference? What is it about this coin vs the PCGS example which are different? I cannot tell and I want to learn. I would not send this in after these responses....

IkesT

Here's some important background reading to you get started on how dies are made, how doubled dies are made, and the non-valuable types of doubling (such as the machine doubling on your coin) that are often mistaken for doubled dies:

https://doubleddie.com/58201.html
https://doubleddie.com/58222.html
https://doubleddie.com/144801.html

may

@msk914 said:
Thank you all. How can you tell the difference? What is it about this coin vs the PCGS example which are different? I cannot tell and I want to learn. I would not send this in after these responses....

For example, there is no doubling on the "1" in Variety Vista, and the doubling has a shallow, shelf-like appearance.

msk914

14480.html explains it well with excellent photos. I can see the difference.

Thanks.

robec

IkesT

@robec The PCGS photo you posted is also machine doubling; that photo should be taken down from CoinFacts so as not to confuse other submitters and/or attributors.

This is what the DDO should look like:

robec

@IkesT said:
@robec The PCGS photo you posted is also machine doubling; that photo should be taken down from CoinFacts so as not to confuse other submitters and/or attributors.

This is what the DDO should look like:

No wonder the confusion from the OP.