1949 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

Among the earliest Franklin Half Dollar doubled dies — the series having debuted just one year prior in 1948 — WDDO-003 of the 1949 issue exhibits close tripling spread toward the center on the date, IN GOD WE TRUST, and LIBERTY. Tripling indicates three distinct hub impressions during die manufacture, creating two layers of secondary imaging superimposed on the primary design — a more complex event than standard doubling. Cross-referenced as CONECA 1-O-II, this variety carries a Class II (Distorted Hub) designation confirming the hub distortion mechanism. Attributed by the Wexler Team, WDDO-003 includes a diagnostic die gouge to the right of the upper chin on John R. Sinnock's Benjamin Franklin portrait — a marker that provides reliable attribution independent of the tripling itself. The Franklin Half Dollar's large 30.6mm diameter means design elements are rendered at generous scale, and the close tripling spread toward center should be discernible on the date numerals and LIBERTY under moderate magnification. Second-year Franklin Half varieties hold particular interest for collectors building comprehensive attribution sets of this mid-century series.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Brett L. Parrish Cross References: CONECA: 1-O-II
• CONECA: 1-O-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1949 50¢ WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References