1963 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-013

Description

Struck in the final year of John R. Sinnock's Franklin Half Dollar series — replaced by the Kennedy Half Dollar in 1964 — DDR-013 exhibits a medium spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM with very light spread on UNITED. The dual intensity is diagnostic: the stronger medium spread on the motto indicates the hub displacement was most pronounced in that area, while the very light spread on UNITED suggests the doubling tapered across the legend. Franklin Half Dollar proofs of 1963 were struck at Philadelphia in 90% silver for annual proof sets, the last year collectors could obtain proof Franklin Halves before the series ended. The proof finish — mirror fields and frosted devices from specially prepared dies — makes the medium-spread E PLURIBUS UNUM readily detectable under magnification. Die markers include UVC-230 and DMR-035. Three die stages are recorded: Stage A places both reverse and obverse at Early Die State, while Stage B at Mid Die State and Stage C at Late Die State remain unconfirmed. The confirmed Early Die State means the most thoroughly studied specimens preserve the sharpest impression of the doubling before die wear softened the secondary images.

Die Markers

• UVC-230
• DMR-035
• Stage A:
• Reverse and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Greg Lewis
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References