1960 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-008

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with codes UVC-149 and DMR-016, this 1960 Proof Franklin Half Dollar carries a doubled die reverse with spread across most reverse legends. Struck in 90% silver at Philadelphia as a proof issue, this coin was produced using polished dies on specially prepared planchets during one of the final years of John R. Sinnock's Franklin Half Dollar design, which ran from 1948 to 1963. The doubling appears as light spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES OF, and HALF DOLLAR, extending to portions of the eagle design. Medium spread on RICA of AMERICA is the strongest area of displacement, providing the best location for initial detection. By Stage C the die develops parallel north-south die scratches emanating from the right bell strap in late die state, a progression marker that helps collectors determine relative die state on their own examples. The DDR-008 designation places this among numerous doubled die reverses cataloged for 1960 proof half dollars, a date that saw substantial proof production as the Mint served a rapidly expanding collector base during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Die Markers

• UVC-149
• DMR-016
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Parallel North-South die scratches from Right bell strap – LDS
• Obverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References