1950 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-009

Description

Ninth doubled die obverse cataloged by VarietyVista for the 1950 Franklin Half Dollar, DDO-009 exhibits light spread on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST combined with strong spread on the 0 of the date — a diagnostic hierarchy where the date digit shows the most pronounced doubling. Assigned UVC-320 and DMR-019, this variety progresses through three die stages: Stage A at early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B at mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C identified as late die state with the obverse listed as RED-007 (back hair curls) and the reverse also at LDS. The RED-007 cross-reference for the late die state obverse indicates a re-engraved die variety where the back hair curls on Franklin's portrait show evidence of die re-cutting — a separate die modification that happened independently of the doubled die characteristics. The proof attribution in the comments, along with the RDV-001b reverse die variety designation, confirms this was a proof die pairing. The 1950 proof Franklin Half Dollar carries particular significance as one of the earlier proof issues in the series, with proof production still at relatively modest levels compared to the surge in proof set sales that occurred in the late 1950s. Strong spread on the 0 of the date provides the most accessible diagnostic for identifying this variety: the zero shows a clearly displaced secondary image that stands out against the coin's mirror proof surfaces. The intersection of a doubled die obverse with a re-engraved die variety (RED-007) and a specific reverse die variety (RDV-001b) creates a complex attribution profile that rewards careful examination of multiple design elements.

Die Markers

• UVC-320
• DMR-019
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LISTED as RED-007 (back hair curls) – LDS
• Reverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Raines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References