1964-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-017

Description

The Wexler Team cataloged this doubled die obverse on the 1964 Denver Mint Kennedy half dollar under the reference 1964-D 50 cents WDDO-017, with no parallel listings in CONECA or Cherrypickers. No die markers were documented on either the obverse or reverse, placing full attribution weight on the doubling pattern itself. The 1964-D Kennedy half dollar holds extraordinary numismatic significance — struck in the first year of the Kennedy series following President John F. Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, the 1964-D is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper at 12.5 grams, making it the only Denver-minted silver Kennedy half dollar in the series' history (the Denver Mint thereafter produced only clad or silver-clad issues). Gilroy Roberts' obverse portrait of Kennedy, adapted from the presidential medal he had previously sculpted, features high-relief hair detail, the presidential seal adapted for coinage, and the surrounding inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST — all areas where hub misalignment can manifest as detectable doubling. The massive 1964-D mintage of over 156 million pieces required hundreds of obverse working dies, and the seventeenth cataloged doubled obverse reflects the statistical probability inherent in such large die populations. Kennedy half dollar collectors systematically search for DDO varieties, particularly on the 1964 silver issues, where the combination of numismatic significance, precious metal content, and variety interest creates strong collector demand. Examination under 10x magnification across the hair waves and inscription details is recommended.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1964-D 50¢ WDDO-017
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References