I purchased this coin about 20 years ago. It was advertised as a double die but I didn’t pay any variety premium. Is this a recognized variety or just machine doubling? If it is a variety, is it worth a premium? Note what appears to be doubling on the date in particular. Also the devices above the date look doubled.
What visual attributes best explain the difference? I’m not a die variety collector and am not experienced in telling them apart?
There is a valuable 1883 3 over 2 variety. (I don't see the 2.) IDK if there is an 1883 RPD. Although a shield nickel in mint state is pretty awesome all by itself.
Sorry about replying to myself. Is there other reverse doubling? Perhaps a clear photo of IN GOD WE TRUST.
You see how the 'doubling' cuts into the devices making them look smaller at the bottom like I mentioned? And how the 'doubled' area is so flat? That is your dead give away. Die Doubling will usually thicken the devices(other than just flattening does).
The motto is a combination of Longacre doubling and crumbling of the die around the lettering not a DDO. The key that the lower part is showing Machine doubling is that the lower portion of the shield and the date both show the same doubling in the same direction and magnitude. But the date is punched into the die separately so if it was a DDO the date and shield would almost certainly show different doubling since the doubling would occur at different stages in the die production, and by different methods.
