1960 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista with die identifiers UVC-145 and DMR-012, the 1960 DDR-004 Franklin Half Dollar exhibits light spread across multiple reverse inscription groups: E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF, HALF DOLLAR, and the eagle design elements, with a notably stronger medium spread on RICA of AMERICA — a localized increase in doubling magnitude at the end of the AMERICA inscription that helps pinpoint the direction and geometry of the hub displacement. The Franklin Half Dollar reverse features the Liberty Bell as its central device, flanked by an eagle to the right (added at Congressional insistence), with inscriptions arranged around the periphery. Three die stages are documented: Stage A at early die state (EDS, unconfirmed); Stage B at mid-die-state (MDS) showing a die gouge on the right upright of the U in UNITED on the reverse and an obverse also in MDS; and Stage C at late die state (LDS, unconfirmed). The die gouge on the U in UNITED at Stage B serves as a location-specific marker that helps attribute specimens to this particular die and assess their die state. The Franklin Half Dollar was designed by John R. Sinnock, with the obverse featuring Benjamin Franklin's portrait and the Liberty Bell on the reverse, produced from 1948 through 1963 before being replaced by the Kennedy Half Dollar. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1960 in 90% silver (90% silver, 10% copper) weighing 12.50 grams with a 30.6 mm diameter and reeded edge. The 1960 Franklin had a mintage of approximately 6.0 million pieces for the business strikes plus additional proof production. The medium spread concentrated on RICA creates a natural starting point for attribution — examiners can check this high-visibility area first before confirming the lighter spread across the remaining reverse elements.

Die Markers

• UVC-145
• DMR-012
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die gouge on Right upright of the U of UNITED – MDS
• Obverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References