1948-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

First cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1948 Denver Mint Franklin Half Dollar, WDDO-001 shows a Class II spread toward the center on LIBERTY, with an extremely close spread in the same direction on IN GOD WE TRUST and the date. The graduated intensity — stronger on LIBERTY and progressively closer on the motto and date — maps the hub distortion's geometry during the die preparation process. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 1948-D 50¢ WDDO-001, the variety also shares its reverse die with WRPM-001, a D/D tilted or rotated repunched mintmark, creating a dual variety coin bearing both a doubled die obverse and a repunched mintmark. Obverse die markers include a die scratch running south from the tip of the nose. The reverse carries a series of north-northeast to south-southwest and northeast to southwest die scratches between the E of E PLURIBUS UNUM and the right dot, along with two east-west die scratches under the D of UNITED that link together on the right. The 1948-D is the inaugural Denver Mint Franklin Half Dollar, first year of John R. Sinnock's design at the Denver facility, giving added historical significance to die varieties from this debut date.

Attribution History

• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1948-D 50¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References