1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista with Universal Variety Code UVC-100 and Die Marriage Record DMR-014, the 1956 Franklin Half Dollar DDR-004 presents medium extra thickness on E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and HALF DOLLAR across the reverse. The die stage documentation reveals a particularly informative three-stage progression: Stage A finds light die scratches running east-west on the bell hanger in Early Die State, with the obverse listed as DDO-008 (also in EDS) and a die gouge on the vertical bar of the D in GOD. Stage B advances to Mid Die State with a die break developing between the I and B of PLURIBUS, accompanied by a MDS obverse. Stage C at Late Die State remains unconfirmed. The reverse die variety (RDV-002) designation adds another layer — this reverse represents the second identified reverse design variety for the 1956 Franklin, distinct from RDV-001 in specific design element details. The pairing with obverse DDO-008 creates another example of a dual-variety die marriage where both the obverse and reverse carry independent doubled die classifications. The 1956 Franklin Half Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 12.5 grams and 30.6 mm diameter. John R. Sinnock's reverse design, featuring the Liberty Bell with its distinctive crack, provides the design canvas. The die break between IB of PLURIBUS at Stage B offers collectors a secondary dating mechanism — specimens showing the IB break but not yet exhibiting LDS characteristics can be precisely placed within the die's production timeline, a level of specificity that enhances both attribution confidence and numismatic understanding.

Die Markers

• UVC-100
• DMR-014
• Stage A:
• Light die scratches East-West on bell hanger – EDS
• Obverse is LISTED as DDO-008 – EDS
• Die gouge on vertical bar of D of GOD
• Stage B:
• Die break between IB of PLURIBUS – MDS
• Obverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References