1968-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003

Description

Third cataloged doubled die reverse for the 1968-S Roosevelt Dime, DDR-003 shows medium spread on UNITED with light spread on all remaining lettering around the rim, manifesting as notched serifs along with a split left stem and olive branch. The combination of medium and light spread across different design elements indicates a hub doubling event where displacement was more pronounced in one area (the UNITED region) and diminished with distance from the maximum displacement point. The notched serif detail is an especially useful diagnostic — the serifs on the reverse lettering appear stepped or notched where two hub impressions overlap imperfectly, creating a shelf-like edge visible under magnification. The split left stem and olive branch extend the doubling evidence into the botanical design elements. The VarietyVista catalog assigns UVC-521 and DMR-012, with Stage A unconfirmed (EDS), Stage B showing reverse and obverse at Mid Die State, and Stage C unconfirmed (LDS). Comments identify the reverse as RDV-001 (weak flame) — a reverse die variety classification referring to the strength of the torch flame detail. The 1968-S Roosevelt Dime was struck at the San Francisco Mint on copper-nickel clad planchets, as the transition away from silver composition had been completed with the Coinage Act of 1965. Three cataloged DDR varieties for the 1968-S date reflects meaningful but not exceptional variety production, consistent with a mid-range San Francisco Mint dime output during the early clad era.

Die Markers

• UVC-521
• DMR-012
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ward Miller
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References