1961 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-008

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDR-008 on the 1961 Proof Franklin half dollar, this doubled die reverse shows medium spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM, HALF DOLLAR, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with light spread on the eagle. The die's progression is tracked under UVC-172 and DMR-020 across three stages. Stage A in early die state features a die gouge dot west of the first A of AMERICA, with the obverse also in early die state. Stage B records both sides at mid-die state. Stage C in late die state introduces a die gouge bar west of the U in UNITED while the earlier dot gouge near AMERICA has worn away. The transition from the dot gouge in early states to the bar gouge in late states provides a built-in stage diagnostic that helps collectors pinpoint where their specimen falls in the die's service life. As a Proof issue, these Franklin halves were struck with polished dies and greater pressure, which tends to accentuate hub doubling and makes the spread on the legend and eagle more readily visible than on business strikes.

Die Markers

• UVC-172
• DMR-020
• Stage A:
• Die gouge dot West of the first A of AMERICA – EDS
• Obverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Die gouge bar West of the U of UNITED� LDS
• Die gouge West of AMERICA is gone
• Obverse is LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References