1946 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team, WDDO-001 of the 1946 Walking Liberty half dollar features strong second hubbing to the north-northwest visible on the right shoulder drapery, leaves, branches, sunrays, and the left center of the gown. This broad distribution of doubling across multiple design elements indicates a substantial hub misalignment during the die-making process. Obverse die markers include a series of mostly north-northwest to south-southeast die scratches through IN GOD WE TRUST and a series of northeast-to-southwest die scratches on either side of the Y in LIBERTY, along with a heavy die scratch running southwest from the left center of the R in LIBERTY into the leaves. The reverse shows a long, light X-shaped die scratch below the eagle's beak. Designed by Adolph Weinman, the Walking Liberty half dollar is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful American coin designs, and doubled die varieties on these issues are prized for combining artistic appeal with die-manufacturing interest. The 1946 issue marks the final year of this iconic series before its replacement by the Franklin half dollar in 1948.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brian Raines Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1946 50¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References