1963 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-001

Description

From the final year of the Franklin Half Dollar series, this 1963 Proof DDO-001 exhibits light spread on LIBER of LIBERTY, TRUST, and the 63 of the date. Die markers include UVC-198 and DMR-003. Three die stages are documented: Stage A in early die state (unconfirmed); Stage B with both obverse and reverse at mid-die state; and Stage C in late die state (unconfirmed). The selective distribution of the doubling — visible on portions of LIBERTY rather than the full word, and on the last two digits of the date rather than all four — indicates the hub displacement was moderate and directional, affecting some areas more than others depending on their position relative to the axis of misalignment. The 1963 issue holds special significance as the last Franklin Half Dollar produced before the series was replaced by the Kennedy design in 1964 following President Kennedy's assassination. Proof strikes from this final year were included in the 1963 proof sets produced at Philadelphia, and as DDO-001 this variety holds the primary designation for doubled die obverses of the date.

Die Markers

• UVC-198
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References