1971-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Medium spread across UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOLLAR, and the heraldic stars encircling the design — with the strongest doubling concentrated on STATES — characterizes this fourth doubled die reverse for the 1971-S Kennedy Half Dollar proof, cataloged by VarietyVista. The 1971-S marks the first year of copper-nickel clad proof Kennedy Halves from San Francisco, as the series transitioned from the 40% silver clad composition used from 1965 through 1970. This compositional change is numismatically significant because it altered the striking characteristics of the planchets and potentially affected how hub doubling manifested on the finished coins. The comment "Proof. Obverse is ODV-003" confirms this as a proof issue and links the obverse to the third obverse die variety documented for the date. Die stage tracking records UVC-402, DMR-023, with Stage A at early die state (unconfirmed), Stage B showing a die gouge west of the arrow points at mid die state (obverse also at MDS), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The eagle reverse of the Kennedy Half, adapted from the Presidential Seal by Frank Gasparro, features dense legend text and star patterns around the perimeter — elements where medium hub doubling becomes readily apparent under magnification. Four reverse doubled dies for the 1971-S proof reflects collectors' systematic examination of these early clad-era proofs.

Die Markers

• UVC-402
• DMR-023
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die gouge to the West of the arrow points – MDS
• Obverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References