1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Struck as a proof issue, the 1956 DDR-005 Franklin half dollar shows medium spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM with light spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and extra thickness on HALF DOLLAR — a tiered doubling pattern where the motto exhibits the strongest displacement while the denomination shows the least. This die carries the Reverse Design Variety 002 (RDV-002) designation, identifying it as bearing a specific iteration of the Franklin reverse hub design. Cataloged under UVC-103 / DMR-017 by VarietyVista, die stage B provides two precise attribution markers: a small die gouge on the rim above the E of AMERICA and a small die gouge on the upper right curve of the D in GOD. Both obverse and reverse reach Mid Die State at Stage B. Stage A is Early Die State (unconfirmed) and Stage C is Late Die State (unconfirmed). Proof Franklin half dollars were struck at Philadelphia using polished dies and carefully prepared planchets, and the resulting mirror surfaces enhance the visibility of hub doubling on the reverse lettering. The RDV-002 classification links this die to collectors studying the evolution of Franklin reverse hub designs across the series.

Die Markers

• UVC-103
• DMR-017
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Small die gouge on rim above E of AMERICA – MDS
• Small die gouge on upper Right curve of the D of GOD – MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References