1963 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-019

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDO-019 with UVC-223 and DMR-028, this 1963 Franklin Half Dollar doubled die obverse presents a medium spread on LIBERTY and light spread on TRUST. The Franklin Half Dollar series (1948-1963) was designed by John R. Sinnock, featuring Benjamin Franklin's portrait on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse, with a small eagle to the right of the bell to satisfy the legal requirement for an eagle on coins larger than a dime. The 1963 issue holds the distinction of being the final year of the Franklin Half Dollar before its abrupt replacement by the Kennedy Half Dollar in early 1964. Three die stages are documented for DDO-019: Stage A in EDS (Early Die State) remains unconfirmed; Stage B in MDS (Mid Die State) shows a vertical die gouge between the lower US of TRUST with the reverse also in MDS; and Stage C in LDS (Late Die State) remains unconfirmed. The vertical die gouge between US of TRUST at Stage B serves as the critical attribution diagnostic, both confirming the correct working die and establishing the specimen's approximate position in the die's production sequence. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver and 10% copper composition, the coin weighs 12.5 grams with a 30.6 mm diameter and a reeded edge — the last year silver half dollars were produced before the composition change. The medium spread on LIBERTY provides the best primary pick-up point, as the bold inscription letters offer clear reference geometry for detecting offset between primary and secondary impressions. The LIBERTY and TRUST doubling should be examined as complementary diagnostics, with the die gouge between US providing die-specific confirmation.

Die Markers

• UVC-223
• DMR-028
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Vertical die gouge between the lower US of TRUST – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Charlie Adkins
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References