1966 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Produced exclusively for the 1966 Special Mint Set — the transitional collector product that replaced proof sets from 1965 through 1967 — this Kennedy Half Dollar DDR-005 exhibits a complex multi-layered spread on the reverse heraldic eagle design. Light triple spread appears on the stars beneath STATES, while double spread affects the stars under UNITED, the letters OF AMERICA, and very light spread touches the stars between the rays. The triple spread on one group of stars versus double spread on another indicates multiple hub impressions at slightly different positions, each leaving its own ghost image. SMS coins carry a distinctive satin-like finish produced by special die preparation, with higher quality than business strikes but different from traditional proofs. Die markers include a die gouge on the C of AMERICA at the earliest documented stage. Stage A places this gouge in Early-to-Mid Die State with the obverse also at EMDS, Stage B records both reverse and obverse at Mid Die State, and Stage C shows both in Late Die State. The 1966 Kennedy Half was struck in 40% silver, the reduced-silver composition adopted in 1965.

Die Markers

• UVC-352
• DMR-034
• Stage A:
• Die gouge on C of AMERICA – EMDS
• Obverse is EMDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse and and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Reverse and and Obverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References