1966 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-007

Description

Tracked by VarietyVista under die identifiers UVC-081 and DMR-009 and cross-referenced as FS-105 (Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers designation), this 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar DDO-007 exhibits strong spread on the designer's initials, Liberty's profile, eye, earlobe, and hair above the forehead, accompanied by clockwise rotation on the IB of LIBERTY, medium spread on IN GOD, and light spread on WE TRUST and the date. The comments note this is an SMS (Special Mint Set) coin — the 1965-1967 period saw no standard proof or uncirculated mint sets, replaced instead by Special Mint Sets with enhanced striking quality that falls between business strike and proof finishes. Three die stages are documented: Stage A at early die state features several short northwest die gouges southwest of the first 6 of the date and minor split serifs on the stars under STATES OF; Stage B shows both obverse and reverse reaching mid-die-state; and Stage C at late die state remains unconfirmed. The FS-105 cross-reference confirms this as a significant variety actively sought by Kennedy Half Dollar specialists. The 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar was struck in 40% silver-clad composition — a silver-copper clad sandwich — at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Silver Clad series running from 1965 to 1970. Gilroy Roberts designed the obverse portrait of President John F. Kennedy. The multi-element doubling pattern across the profile, lettering, and date, combined with the clockwise rotational component on specific letters, reveals a complex hub displacement event that affected design elements differently based on their position relative to the pivot point.

Die Markers

• UVC-081
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• Several short Northwest die gouges Southwest of the first 6 of the date – EDS
• Minor split serifs on the stars under STATES OF – EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ed Raser
• FS-105
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References