1963-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

This 1963-D Franklin half dollar DDO-003 displays strong spread on LIBERTY with light spread on IN, making it one of the more prominent doubled die varieties in the final year of the Franklin half dollar series. Struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams with a 30.6 mm diameter, this coin was produced just months before the assassination of President Kennedy led to the rapid replacement of the Franklin design. VarietyVista assigned Universal Variety Code UVC-236 and Die Marker Reference DMR-004, documenting three die states: Stage A at early die state where the obverse is at EDS and the reverse has severe mechanical die damage (MDD); Stage B at mid die state showing a light die crack over the bust with the reverse also at MDS; and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The severe MDD on the reverse at early die state is unusual and indicates significant die damage occurred very early in the die's working life. John R. Sinnock's portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the obverse, paired with the Liberty Bell reverse, represents one of the less appreciated designs in U.S. half dollar history, but variety collectors actively pursue Franklin half dollar doubled dies. The strong spread on LIBERTY is the primary pickup point, as the bold letters of the motto across the top of the obverse show the displacement most clearly. This variety belongs to the Franklin Half Dollars 1948-1963 series, which was cut short after only sixteen years of production.

Die Markers

• UVC-236
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• Obverse is EDS
• Reverse has severe MDD – EDS
• Stage B:
• Light die crack over bust – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Paul Richards
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References