1966 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-018

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDO-018 under UVC-092 and DMR-020, this 1966 Kennedy half dollar doubled die obverse exhibits a medium spread on Kennedy's profile, ear, and the designer's initials, along with IN GOD WE TRUST. Additional features include clockwise rotation on the date and LI of LIBERTY, light spread on the eye, hair at the back of the head, and tripling on the Y of LIBERTY. The tripling indicates at least three hub impressions were made during die production, each slightly offset from the others. Three die states have been documented: Stage A at early-to-mid die state with the reverse listed as DDR-002 at early die state, creating a dual doubled die combination; Stage B with both obverse and reverse at mid die state; Stage C at late die state, unconfirmed. This is a Special Mint Set (SMS) coin, produced during the 1965-1967 period when the Mint replaced standard proof sets with SMS sets due to the coin shortage. The 1966 Kennedy half dollar was struck in 40% silver-clad composition, weighing 11.5 grams at 30.6 mm diameter, as part of the Kennedy Half Dollars Silver Clad 1965-1970 series. The pairing with DDR-002 on the reverse makes this die particularly desirable, as dual doubled die combinations are relatively uncommon and appeal to collectors who value the enhanced complexity of having both sides exhibit hub doubling from the same die pair.

Die Markers

• UVC-092
• DMR-020
• Stage A:
• Obverse is EMDS
• Reverse is LISTED as DDR-002 – EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References