1960 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-003

Description

Struck as a San Francisco proof, the 1960 Franklin Half Dollar WDDR-003 reveals a close spread toward the center on E PLURIBUS UNUM, the dots flanking EPU, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOLLAR, and the eagle's legs and wing tips. Center-directed spread means the secondary image is displaced inward from the primary, compressing the design elements slightly toward the coin's core — an unusual vector that distinguishes this variety from the more common outward or rotational spreads. The proof finish amplifies even subtle doubling because mirrored fields create high contrast against frosted design elements, making the close spread on EPU and the eagle's extremities detectable under moderate magnification. Obverse die markers show nothing significant, but the reverse carries two useful diagnostics: a small die gouge resembling a dot on the bottom left of the N in UNITED, and a curving die scratch at the bottom left of the second A in AMERICA. Franklin Half Dollar proofs were struck exclusively at Philadelphia during this era. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID 1960 50-cent Proof WDDR-003, this variety offers collectors a center-spread example within the Franklin proof DDR catalog.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1960 50¢ Pr WDDR-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References