1961 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Fifth documented doubled die obverse for the 1961 Franklin Half Dollar, DDO-005 shows a medium spread on the date and the WE TRUST portion of the motto. The VarietyVista classification assigns UVC-159 and die marriage reference DMR-007, tracking both the unique variety and the die pairing that produced it. Three die stages have been identified: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B where both obverse and reverse are in middle die state, and Stage C in late die state (also unconfirmed). John R. Sinnock's Franklin Half Dollar, produced from 1948 through 1963, was the shortest-lived regular-issue half dollar design of the twentieth century, replaced by the Kennedy Half Dollar following President Kennedy's assassination. The 1961 Philadelphia Mint production of Franklin Halves was substantial, as the half dollar remained an important denomination in commerce. A medium spread on the date numerals indicates a more pronounced level of hub doubling than the "light" or "very close" spreads documented on some other varieties, potentially making DDO-005 easier to detect under magnification. The WE TRUST portion of IN GOD WE TRUST is situated above the date on the Franklin obverse, and its proximity to the date area means both elements were affected by the same hubbing misalignment. Cataloged by VarietyVista, DDO-005 contributes to the variety census of a half dollar series that collectors increasingly appreciate for its design elegance and numismatic significance.

Die Markers

• UVC-159
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Lee Hiemke
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References