1963 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Struck during the final year of Benjamin Franklin's tenure on the half dollar before Kennedy replaced it in 1964, this DDO-005 preserves medium spread on the L of LIBERTY, the last T of TRUST, and the numerals 63 of the date. Cataloged under UVC-202 and DMR-007, the variety documents three die stages: Stage A in Early Die State is unconfirmed, Stage B shows both the obverse and reverse in Mid-Die State, and Stage C shows both in Late Die State. The 1963 Franklin Half holds particular significance as the swan song of John R. Sinnock's design, which had depicted Franklin since 1948. Following President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, Congress authorized a new half dollar bearing Kennedy's portrait, making 1963 the terminal date for Franklin production. The fifth cataloged doubled die obverse for this historically charged date captures hub doubling on the date numerals and portions of the motto, features best examined on the left side of the obverse where LIBERTY and TRUST frame the portrait. Variety collectors pursuing a complete DDO set for the final Franklin year find that DDO-005's spread on the date provides one of the more satisfying attribution experiences.

Die Markers

• UVC-202
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References