1956 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Presenting an unusual split-manifestation pattern within a single word, DDO-004 on the 1956 Franklin Half Dollar shows medium spread confined to the last T of TRUST and the L of LIBERTY, with extra thickness on the remainder of LIBERTY. James Wiles reported this variety, which carries Reverse Die Variety designation RDV-002. The split manifestation within LIBERTY is particularly diagnostic: the L shows resolved medium spread — clearly separated primary and secondary letter images — while the remaining letters (I, B, E, R, T, Y) display extra thickness instead, where the doubled images overlap enough to produce broadened strokes without clean separation. This transition from spread to extra thickness within a single word precisely maps the hub displacement's falloff: the L, positioned at LIBERTY's leading edge, received the peak offset, while successive letters encountered diminishing displacement until the doubling collapsed from resolved spread into near-coincident thickening. The isolated involvement of the last T in TRUST provides a second diagnostic checkpoint at a different location on the die face, confirming that the displacement's geometry created another zone of medium-strength offset at the motto's terminal letter. The RDV-002 designation identifies the specific reverse design variant paired with this obverse die. On John R. Sinnock's Franklin Half Dollar obverse, LIBERTY arcs across the top and IN GOD WE TRUST appears at lower right — the two inscription areas where the split-manifestation doubling is documented. The 1956 Franklin Half Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 12.5 grams. Examination under 7x magnification should begin at the L of LIBERTY and the last T of TRUST where the resolved medium spread is most apparent, then compare the remaining LIBERTY letters for the characteristically different extra thickness.

External References