1963 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-018

Description

Cataloged in the VarietyVista system as UVC-222 and DMR-027, the 1963 DDO-018 is a doubled die obverse on the proof Franklin half dollar displaying medium spread on LIBERTY and light spread on TRUST. Proof coins, struck with specially prepared dies on polished planchets at the Philadelphia Mint, can exhibit doubled die characteristics just as business strikes do, since the doubling originates during die manufacture rather than striking. Three die stages document this die's life. Stage A shows die scratches on the rim above the L and R of LIBERTY, with both obverse and reverse in early to mid die state. Stage B advances to mid-die state, though it remains unconfirmed. Stage C represents the late die state, also unconfirmed. The medium spread on LIBERTY offers the strongest pickup point for attribution, while the lighter spread on TRUST provides secondary confirmation. Franklin half dollar proof issues from the early 1960s were produced in relatively large quantities for annual proof sets, yet specific doubled die varieties like the DDO-018 remain scarce since only coins struck from this particular die carry the diagnostic doubling and rim scratches.

Die Markers

• UVC-222
• DMR-027
• Stage A:
• Die scratches on rim above L and R of LIBERTY – EMDS
• Reverse is EMDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Charles Bondurant
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References