1969-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-007

Description

Light rotational doubling on the letters and stars under UNITED STATES OF AMERICA — appearing primarily as notches on the lower portions of the letters — characterizes this seventh doubled die reverse for the 1969-S Kennedy Half Dollar, a proof issue cataloged by VarietyVista. The notation "RDV-003/ODV-002a (MDO)" ties this reverse to the third reverse die variety paired with the second obverse die variety (sub-variant a), with MDO indicating a modified design obverse. The 1969-S Kennedy Half was struck in 40% silver clad composition at the San Francisco Mint, which had exclusive proof production responsibilities. This transitional silver clad era (1965-1970) occupies a special niche in Kennedy Half Dollar collecting because these coins contain actual precious metal content — 40% silver — unlike the copper-nickel clad issues that followed in 1971. Die stage documentation records UVC-461, DMR-009, with Stage A showing both reverse and obverse at early die state, Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The rotational character of the doubling — producing notches rather than directional spread — suggests the hub-to-die misalignment involved a slight rotation between impressions rather than a linear shift. Seven documented reverse doubled dies for the 1969-S proof Kennedy Half reflects the intense scrutiny proof collectors apply to these silver clad issues.

Die Markers

• UVC-461
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• Reverse and and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by David Bowman
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References