Numicanada.com

June 02, 2009 -- This month's lead coin in Ken Potter's World Coin News column, Visiting Varieites, is a very interesting doubled die shown on a Canadian 1978 proof-like nickel dollar. According to Potter, "Steve Olter of Michigan sent it in asking what I though of the raised area found on the reverse Voyageur design. The area in question is found on the island fairly well centered between the Indian and fur trader that the Mint refers to a “voyageur.” At first glance it was clear that it did not exhibit the usual characteristics of a die dent, die gouge or die break. It was smooth and rounded as if it has been hubbed there as a part of the design. Since it certainly did not belong there and had to be a displaced area of “extra design” from an early hubbing I determined that it was just a matter of examining the coin to find out were the point of origin of the secondary design was. In short order I found the most probable answer. The extra design appears to fit well within the confines and shape of the lowermost left branch of the left evergreen tree."