1948 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Cataloged as UVC-005, DMR-005, this 1948 Philadelphia Mint Franklin Half Dollar displays medium spread to the northwest on E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED, the H of HALF, and the surrounding dots. Struck in 90% silver (0.3617 oz ASW), the 1948 Franklin Half Dollar was the inaugural year of John R. Sinnock's design honoring Benjamin Franklin, replacing the Walking Liberty motif. Three die stages are documented: Stage A in Early Die State (unconfirmed); Stage B in Mid Die State, identified by die scratches running southeast on the left side of the reverse and die scratches under the chin on the obverse; and Stage C with both reverse and obverse in Late Die State. The northwestern spread direction on DDR-004 produces an attractive shelf effect on the affected lettering, particularly on E PLURIBUS UNUM where the secondary impressions trail above and to the left of the primary strikes. As a first-year issue, the 1948 Franklin Half Dollar holds inherent collector interest, and DDR-004 adds die variety significance to the type date. Stage B specimens with the southeast die scratches offer the most confident attribution pathway.

Die Markers

• UVC-005
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die scratches Southeast on Left side of Reverse – MDS
• Due scratches under chin – MDS
• Stage C:
• Reverse and Obverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ed Raser
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References