1973 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

The first doubled die reverse cataloged for the 1973 Kennedy Half Dollar, Wexler Variety ID: 1973 50¢ WDDR-001 exhibits a strong counter-clockwise spread from a rotational pivot at approximately the 8 o'clock position. The doubling manifests on USA and HALF DOLLAR, extending to the stars in the circle, the rays, and slightly onto the stars above E PLURIBUS UNUM. A rotational pivot means the hub was slightly rotated between impressions rather than linearly displaced, producing spread that radiates from the pivot — elements nearest show minimal displacement while those farthest exhibit the strongest doubling. As WDDR-001, this was the first doubled die reverse documented for the 1973 Kennedy Half Dollar. Gilroy Roberts designed the obverse and Frank Gasparro created the heraldic eagle reverse, a pairing introduced in 1964 following President Kennedy's assassination. The 1973 issue was struck at Philadelphia in copper-nickel clad composition, standard since 1971 after the transitional 40% silver clad of 1965-1970 was discontinued. The counter-clockwise rotational spread makes this variety instructive for understanding pivot-based hub doubling.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jennifer Casazza Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1973 50¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References