1967 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Holding the DDO-003 position for the 1967 Kennedy half dollar, this third obverse doubled die exhibits medium spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and TY of LIBERTY on the obverse designed by Gilroy Roberts in consultation with Mint Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro. VarietyVista assigned identifiers UVC-110 and DMR-005, documenting three die stages: Stage A at early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B where a die gouge appears in the field east of the upper R of LIBERTY at mid die state and the reverse has also reached MDS, and Stage C where both obverse and reverse surfaces have progressed to late die state. The LDS confirmation for Stage C establishes that this die pair continued in service until advanced wear was present, potentially providing specimens showing the full die state progression. This variety is designated BS (Business Strike), distinguishing it from proof or Special Mint Set production. The 1967 Kennedy half dollar falls within the silver-clad composition period (1965-1970), with 40% silver outer layers bonded to a 21% silver inner core — a reduced-silver formulation adopted in response to the mid-1960s coin shortage and silver market pressures. The 1965-1967 period also eliminated mintmarks from all coinage, so this half dollar bears no mintmark despite being produced at either Philadelphia or Denver. Gilroy Roberts's Kennedy portrait, introduced in 1964 after President Kennedy's assassination, features the bold LIBERTY inscription across the top and IN GOD WE TRUST below the neck where the medium spread on these elements is most pronounced. Collectors should look for the die gouge east of the upper R of LIBERTY to verify the die at MDS or earlier state, then examine IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and TY of LIBERTY at 10-15x magnification for the characteristic secondary impression of medium hub doubling.

Die Markers

• UVC-110
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die gouge in the field East of the upper R of LIBERTY – MDS
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Calvin O. Levorson
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References