1950-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Fifth doubled die reverse documented for the 1950-D Franklin Half Dollar, DDR-005 exhibits light spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM, the bell lettering, and the eagle — with a distinctive first hubbing that was shallow, affecting only the central design elements before a second, fuller hubbing completed the die impression at a slightly different angle. This shallow-first-hubbing mechanism is cataloged by VarietyVista under UVC-038 and DMR-004, and it produces a doubling pattern where the central high-relief areas show more pronounced spread than the peripheral legends. Three die stages track the variety's production lifespan: Stage A (EDS, unconfirmed) represents the earliest strikes before significant die wear, Stage B (MDS) is marked by a die gouge developing in the lower portion of the A in HALF with the obverse reaching mid die state, and Stage C (LDS, unconfirmed) captures the terminal deterioration phase. The RDV-001b/RDV-001a reverse die variety pairing connects this doubled die to specific die usage sequences within the 1950-D production run. Denver struck nearly 2.5 million Franklin Half Dollars in 1950 — a relatively low mintage for the series — making die varieties from this date scarcer in absolute terms than those from higher-mintage years. The light spread characteristic of DDR-005 requires careful examination under magnification, as the doubling is most apparent on the serif lettering where slight displacement creates visible shadowing.

Die Markers

• UVC-038
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die gouge in lower A of HALF – MDS
• Obverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ron Nappi
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References