1966 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-028

Description

Produced as part of the Special Mint Set program that replaced traditional proof sets from 1965 through 1967, DDO-028 of the 1966 SMS Kennedy Half Dollar shows light spread on the eye and nostril with clockwise rotation of LIB of LIBERTY and very light spread on the chin. The clockwise rotation indicates the hub pivoted in a CW direction during the secondary impression. SMS coins have a distinctive satin-like finish differing from both proof mirror surfaces and standard business-strike luster. Attributed by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-102 and DMR-030, three progressive stages are documented: Stage A shows a light die scratch southwest from the lower lip in early die state with the reverse at early-to-mid die state, Stage B in mid-die state remains unconfirmed, and Stage C in late die state likewise awaits confirmation. The die scratch southwest from the lower lip provides a useful confirming diagnostic. The 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar was struck in 40% silver clad composition, the reduced-silver standard adopted in 1965. This SMS Kennedy Half Dollar documents clockwise rotational doubling on portrait features under the distinctive Special Mint Set finish.

Die Markers

• UVC-102
• DMR-030
• Stage A:
• Light die scratch Southwest from lower lip – EDS
• Reverse is EMDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References