1946 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

The 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar WDDR-001 is the premier doubled die reverse in the series, cross-referenced as CONECA 1-R-I, Cherrypickers FS-50-1946-801 (011.1), Breen #5215, and Fox V-101, with Wexler Variety ID 1946 50¢ WDDR-001. The doubling is Class I — a rotated hub — producing a very strong counterclockwise spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM, the left wing feathers, the pine needles of the olive branch, and the U of UNITED. Six die stages are documented across three obverse stages (A through C) and three reverse stages (A through C), tracing the die's full life from sharp early impressions through heavy metal flow lines in the latest state. Stage A on both sides shows the cleanest, most dramatic doubling; later stages introduce die fatigue and metal flow that obscure the spread. The 1946 Walking Liberty Half Dollar is a 90% silver coin, and 1946 is the final year of the series — Adolph Weinman's Walking Liberty design, introduced in 1916, was replaced by Benjamin Franklin's portrait in 1948. The breadth of cross-references (CONECA, Cherrypickers, Breen, Fox, Wexler) reflects the variety's recognized significance across all major doubled-die cataloging authorities. Obverse Stage B: Die scratches NW from the top of the second T in TRUST. Die gouge (dot) between the N of IN and the E of WE.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Bordner Cross References: CONECA: 1-R-I, Cherrypickers: FS-50-1946-801 (011.1), Breen: #5215, Fox: V-101
• CONECA: 1-R-I, Cherrypickers: FS-50-1946-801 (011.1), Breen: #5215, Fox: V-101; Wexler Variety ID: 1946 50¢ WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References