1971 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Counterclockwise spread from a pivot point at approximately 10:00 affects WE TRUST, the 71 in the date, and TY in LIBERTY on this 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar, found in a U.S. Mint Set — a discovery context that highlights how official Mint packaging sometimes preserves die varieties in superior condition. Designated WDDO-002 by the Wexler Team, the pivot at 10:00 (upper left) means design elements in the lower right quadrant of the die show the strongest displacement, explaining why the spread is most visible on WE TRUST, the date, and the end of LIBERTY. A small die dent west of the bottom of the L in LIBERTY serves as the obverse die marker, while no significant reverse markers have been identified. The 1971 Kennedy Half Dollar is historically notable as the first year of copper-nickel clad composition for the denomination — after 40% silver from 1965 through 1970, the half dollar joined the dime and quarter in the base-metal composition that continues today. Gilroy Roberts' Kennedy portrait and Frank Gasparro's Presidential Seal reverse were in their eighth year at 30.6mm. The variety's discovery in a Mint Set suggests pristine specimens may be found by searching unopened 1971 sets. Look for CCW spread on WE TRUST, the date's 71, and TY in LIBERTY, with the die dent near L's base confirming attribution.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Roger W. Beckner Cross References: None known Comments: This variety was found in a 1971 U.S. Mint set.
• None known Comments: This variety was found in a 1971 U.S. Mint set.; Wexler Variety ID: 1971 50¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References