1968-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Fifth in the obverse doubled die census for the 1968-S Kennedy half dollar, DDO-005 exhibits light triple spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and LIBERTY — an unusual tripling event where three distinct hub impressions are visible on the affected design elements rather than the standard two impressions seen in typical doubled dies. VarietyVista assigned identifiers UVC-562 and DMR-017, with Stage A showing both obverse and reverse at early die state (EDS), Stage B at MDS (unconfirmed), and Stage C at LDS (unconfirmed). The comments confirm this as a proof striking and note the reverse as RDV-002 (Flared G), identifying a specific reverse design variant distinguished by the flared appearance of the letter G — providing a secondary diagnostic for confirming the die pair. The 1968-S Kennedy half dollar holds historical significance as the first proof-only San Francisco issue in the series, struck on 40% silver planchets as part of the silver-clad composition used from 1965 through 1970. San Francisco resumed mintmark usage on proof coins in 1968 after the 1965-1967 moratorium. Gilroy Roberts's Kennedy portrait on the half dollar provides large inscription areas where triple spread produces a distinctively layered appearance — three offset impressions creating stepped or terraced letter profiles rather than the simpler doubled appearance of standard hub doubling. The light classification indicates the spread between the three impressions is modest, requiring magnification of 15-20x to resolve the individual layers. Collectors should examine IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and LIBERTY for evidence of three distinct impressions, then verify the Flared G on the reverse to confirm the RDV-002 die identity.

Die Markers

• UVC-562
• DMR-017
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References