1969-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-007

Description

Among the multiple DDR varieties cataloged for the 1969-S proof Kennedy half dollar, WDDR-007 stands as one of the higher-numbered entries in the Wexler files, indicating that the San Francisco proof die shop generated a notable concentration of reverse hub doubling anomalies during this production year. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 1969-S 50c Pr WDDR-007, this variety originated on proof dies used to strike the 2,934,631 proof sets issued in 1969. The reverse doubling would manifest on Frank Gasparro's heraldic eagle design, where the intricate feather detail, shield lines, and inscriptions provide numerous locations for hub misalignment to produce detectable spread. San Francisco proof half dollars from 1965 through 1970 occupy a unique position in the Kennedy half dollar series because they were struck in the 40% silver-clad composition — an alloy that produces a different surface character than either the pre-1965 90% silver or the post-1970 copper-nickel clad versions. The proof striking process, which typically involves multiple blows from polished dies onto specially prepared planchets, creates the deep mirror fields and frosted devices that can either enhance or obscure doubled die features depending on the angle of illumination. Collectors pursuing the 1969-S proof DDR census will find that multiple WDDR listings exist for this date, requiring careful comparison of spread direction, magnitude, and die markers to ensure correct attribution among the various cataloged varieties.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1969-S 50¢ Pr WDDR-007
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References