1948-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-004

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as UVC-255 with die marker reference DMR-006, this 1948-D Franklin Half Dollar exhibits light spread to the southeast on the date. The 1948 Franklin Half Dollar represents the first year of John R. Sinnock's design, making any die variety from this inaugural Denver Mint issue of heightened interest to series specialists. This is a combination variety — the reverse is listed as DDR-004, documenting hub doubling on both sides of the die marriage. Four die stages are recorded, an unusually deep progression: Stages A and B remain unconfirmed, Stage C documents the obverse in Late Die State with the reverse also listed as DDR-004 in LDS, and Stage D records a die crack across the lower front of the bust at Very Late Die State with the reverse in VLDS. The four-stage documentation from unconfirmed early states through VLDS indicates this die pair served an exceptionally prolonged production life, allowing variety researchers to track progressive deterioration across the full arc of die service. Denver Mint, 90% silver at 12.50 grams. The dual DDO/DDR combination status creates a die marriage with attribution significance on both sides, while the first-year-of-issue context adds collecting appeal rooted in the series' historical origin at the Denver facility.

Die Markers

• UVC-255
• DMR-006
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LDS
• Reverse is LISTED as DDR-004 – LDS
• Stage D:
• Die crack across lower front of bust – VLDS
• Reverse is VLDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References