1964 Proof Kennedy Half Dollar - Doubled Die Reverse DDR-020

Description

From the inaugural year of Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro's Kennedy Half Dollar, DDR-020 documents a medium spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and HALF DOLLAR on this 1964 proof issue — struck in 90% silver, a composition Kennedy proofs did not use again until 1992. Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-476 (DMR-063), this variety tracks across two die stages: Stage A exhibits die scratches on the rim above the T of LIBERTY, while Stage B introduces a small die gouge between the lower AR of DOLLAR at early-to-mid die state. Production notes identify the die pair as ODV-002/RDV-001 with the "Straight G" designation, referring to the shape of the G in Frank Gasparro's initials on the reverse — a pairing detail that helps trace individual dies through production. The first-year Kennedy Half generated extraordinary public demand following President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, resulting in massive proof mintages. Despite that volume, specific doubled die varieties like DDR-020 remain uncommon, as each represents a single die among hundreds prepared for the unprecedented production run.

Die Markers

• UVC-476
• DMR-063
• Stage A:
• Reverse is EDS
• Die scratches on rim above T of LIBERTY – EDS
• Stage B:
• Small die gouge between lower AR of DOLLAR – EMDS
• Obverse is EMDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

External References