1971-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-009

Description

Medium spread on TRUST, the last 1 of the date, and BERTY of LIBERTY, with lighter spread on IN, identifies this ninth doubled die obverse for the 1971-S proof Kennedy Half Dollar, attributed by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-167 and DMR-003. The obverse die is designated ODV-003, indicating it has been separately classified in the obverse die variety catalog. This is exclusively a proof variety, struck at the San Francisco Mint on polished planchets using specially prepared dies — the controlled proof production environment means each die typically strikes fewer coins than business strike dies, making proof doubled dies scarcer in absolute numbers. Die stage documentation shows Stage A with a die scratch on the rim above the Y of LIBERTY in Early Die State and the reverse also in EDS, Stage B developing a short diagonal die scratch on the rim above the B of LIBERTY in Early to Mid Die State with the reverse at EMDS, and Stage C reaching Late Die State (unconfirmed). The 1971-S proof Kennedy Half Dollar was the first proof half dollar struck exclusively in copper-nickel clad composition, as San Francisco ended its 40% silver proof production after 1970. Nine doubled die obverses documented for a single proof date demonstrates the thoroughness with which proof Kennedy Half variety specialists have examined this transitional first-year clad proof issue.

Die Markers

• UVC-167
• DMR-003
• Stage A:
• Die scratch on rim above Y of LIBERTY – EDS
• Reverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• Short diagonal die scratch on rim above B of LIBERTY – EMDS
• Reverse is EMDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by George Wilkinson
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References