1954-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

Holding the primary DDO catalog position for the Denver Mint's 1954 Franklin Half Dollar, DDO-001 presents light spread combined with extra thickness on LIBERTY and IN GOD — the opening words of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Charles Bondurant reported this variety, which exhibits a blend of two doubling manifestations: spread (where secondary images are offset from the primary) and extra thickness (where the secondary impression broadens the design without clear separation). This combination suggests the hub re-impression was displaced just enough to begin separating from the primary image on some strokes while remaining nearly coincident on others. John R. Sinnock's Franklin Half Dollar obverse positions LIBERTY in an arc above Benjamin Franklin's portrait and IN GOD WE TRUST below the chin, placing the two affected inscriptions at widely separated locations on the die face. The 1954-D was struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver at 12.5 grams, and Denver-minted Franklin Half Dollars are generally collected alongside their Philadelphia counterparts for complete date-mint sets. As DDO-001, this variety anchors the doubled die obverse catalog for the date and represents the most significant or first-documented obverse hub doubling for the 1954-D issue.

External References