1969-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003

Description

Exhibiting a light triple spread on the stars beneath UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, DDR-003 of the 1969-S Proof Kennedy Half Dollar adds light notches on most inscription letters — a step-like displacement where the tripled image creates incremental steps along letter edges rather than smooth contours. Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-385 (DMR-005), Stage A records a light die scratch between the upper ED of UNITED as an early die state diagnostic. Production notes identify the pairing as RDV-003 with ODV-002a carrying an "MDO" designation. As a proof issue, the 1969-S Kennedy Half was struck at San Francisco using the 40% silver clad composition that continued through 1970 before shifting to copper-nickel clad. Tripling on the reverse stars provides a distinctive visual signature, as each star carries two secondary displaced images alongside the primary impression. The notching on inscription letters offers a complementary diagnostic — collectors should examine the upper reverse under magnification, where stars and UNITED STATES lettering concentrate the most readily identifiable tripling evidence.

Die Markers

• UVC-385
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Light die scratch between upper ED of UNITED – EDS
• Obverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References