1957 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Among the strongest documented doubled dies in the Franklin Half Dollar series, the 1957 DDO-002 exhibits strong spread on LIBERTY, WE TRUST, and the date, with the strongest effect visible on the tail of the 9 in the date — a diagnostic that makes this variety identifiable even at relatively low magnification. Cataloged by VarietyVista with UVC-111 and DMR-004, this variety progresses through three die stages: Stage A at early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B at mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The reverse is listed as DDR-002, establishing another die marriage where both obverse and reverse carry independently cataloged doubled die characteristics — a coin struck from this die pair displays doubling on both sides. The researcher's note that a specimen is needed for new digital color photos and die state study indicates that the original documentation predates modern imaging technology and awaits updated photographic documentation. Strong spread on the tail of the 9 occurs because the date digits, positioned at the lower right of the obverse near the rim, are in a zone where rotational or tilted hub doubling concentrates its effect due to the geometry of the hubbing process. The 1957 Franklin Half Dollar was struck at Philadelphia — no mint mark — during the series' tenth year of production, by which point die manufacturing for Sinnock's design was well-established. The combination of strong obverse doubling and a paired DDR-002 reverse makes this die marriage one of the more desirable Franklin Half Dollar varieties for collectors pursuing dramatic hub doubling examples.

Die Markers

• UVC-111
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References