1972-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Carrying the WDDO-002 designation for the 1972-S Kennedy half dollar proof, this variety exhibits a Class I counterclockwise (CCW) spread on IN GOD WE TRUST. Class I doubling, also known as Rotated Hub Doubling, occurs when the working hub rotates slightly between impressions during the die-making process, producing a consistent rotational displacement across the entire die surface — though the effect is most visible at design elements furthest from the pivot point. Gilroy Roberts's Kennedy portrait dominates the obverse of the half dollar series introduced in 1964 following President Kennedy's assassination, and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST runs along the lower obverse where the CCW rotational spread produces a characteristic displacement pattern. San Francisco struck proof Kennedy half dollars for inclusion in the 1972 annual proof set, using polished dies and specially prepared planchets to achieve the mirror-field and frosted-device finish expected by collectors. The Wexler Team cataloged this variety under Wexler Variety ID: 1972-S 50¢ Pr WDDO-002, with no additional cross-references currently known from other attribution services. No significant obverse or reverse die markers were noted in the available documentation, meaning the doubling on IGWT serves as the primary diagnostic for identifying this die. Collectors examining proof specimens should use 15-20x magnification with diffused illumination to minimize the reflective glare from proof surfaces, focusing on each letter of IN GOD WE TRUST for evidence of counterclockwise rotational displacement — typically visible as a secondary impression shifted slightly to one side in a consistent directional pattern across all affected letters.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1972-S 50¢ Pr WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References