1963 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-006

Description

Struck during the final year of the Franklin Half Dollar series before the Kennedy design replaced it in 1964, this proof 1963 DDR-006 displays light spread on HALF DOLLAR, PL of PLURIBUS, the first U of UNUM, and UNITED, with medium rotation of STATES OF AMERICA and the eagle. Cataloged by VarietyVista under UVC-216, DMR-021, the die progresses through three stages: Stage A is early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B shows both reverse and obverse at mid-die state, and Stage C is late die state (unconfirmed). The rotational component affecting STATES OF AMERICA and the eagle at medium strength while the spread on HALF DOLLAR and partial inscriptions remains light suggests a complex doubling mechanism where hub-to-die displacement varied across the die face. As the last year of John R. Sinnock's Franklin design, 1963 proof halves hold a sentimental place in the series — collectors who assembled proof Franklin sets consider these terminal-year issues the capstone of a design that ran from 1948 through 1963. Doubled die varieties on proof Franklin halves are actively pursued by series specialists.

Die Markers

• UVC-216
• DMR-021
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Wishon
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References