1951 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1951 50¢ WDDR-002 and cross-referenced as Crawford CDDR-001 in the specialized Franklin Half Dollar variety reference, this 1951 Franklin Half Dollar exhibits a multi-directional doubling pattern on the reverse. Northward spread shows on the bottom of the Liberty Bell, the bell clapper, and the bottom of the eagle, while an eastward spread appears on the lower left part of the upper bell structure and on the left side of the upper bell supports — two separate displacement vectors affecting different design zones, which may indicate a complex hub displacement geometry or sequential misaligned impressions at different angles. Obverse die markers include a die crack running north to south through the right side of the R in the designer's initials JRS (John R. Sinnock), then curving to the southeast. The reverse carries a die scratch running south-southwest to north-northeast above the eagle's right wing. The Franklin Half Dollar was designed by John R. Sinnock, featuring Benjamin Franklin's portrait on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse, with a small eagle to the right of the bell satisfying the legal requirement for eagle imagery on half dollars. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1951 in 90% silver composition (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 12.50 grams with a 30.6 mm diameter, this coin was produced during the Korean War era. The Crawford CDDR-001 cross-reference connects this variety to the specialized Crawford catalog system for Franklin Half Dollar varieties, providing an additional attribution resource beyond the Wexler files. The multi-directional doubling pattern with both northward and eastward components makes this a diagnostically rich variety with distinct attribution markers in multiple design areas.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Tony Russo Cross References: Crawford: CDDR-001
• Crawford: CDDR-001; Wexler Variety ID: 1951 50¢ WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References