1962 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Third in the VarietyVista doubled die obverse catalog for the 1962 proof Franklin Half Dollar, this variety shows medium spread on the 2 of the date, IN GOD WE TRUST, and LIBERTY. Cataloged under UVC-188 and DMR-005, the die documentation records Stage A with both the obverse and reverse in early die state, Stage B at mid-die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The 1962 Franklin Half Dollar was struck in 90% silver at the Philadelphia Mint for both business strikes and proof issues — it was the penultimate year of John Sinnock's Franklin design before the Kennedy Half Dollar replaced it in 1964 following President Kennedy's assassination. Medium spread affecting the date, motto, and LIBERTY means the hub misalignment was substantial enough to produce visible doubling across widely separated obverse elements, indicating a significant offset between the first and second hub impressions. The Franklin Half Dollar series (1948-1963) features Benjamin Franklin's portrait on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse, and proof issues from the early 1960s are prized for their cameo and deep cameo contrast. Three doubled die obverses documented for the 1962 proof indicates that the proof die preparation process at Philadelphia generated its share of hubbing misalignments despite the enhanced quality controls applied to proof production.

Die Markers

• UVC-188
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by David Bowman
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References