1956 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-007

Description

Proof dies receive extra polishing and multiple strikes to achieve their mirror finishes, and this 1956 Franklin Half Dollar proof DDO-007 displays light spread on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST against those pristine reflective fields. What makes this variety exceptional is its complex multi-die-marriage history documented by VarietyVista. Under UVC-261 and DMR-024, Stages A and B pair this obverse with one reverse, where Stage B introduces die scratches across the upper hair at early-mid die state. The obverse then transitions to a second reverse under UVC-099 and DMR-013 for Stages C and D. Stage C shows the obverse at late-mid die state paired with DDR-008, which carries a die chip between PL of PLURIBUS, with both reverses classified as RDV-002. Stage D reaches late die state on both sides. This documented die switch mid-life makes DDO-007 a compelling study in Mint die management practices of the 1950s, where obverse dies outlasted their original reverse partners and were re-paired with fresh reverses to extend production.

Die Markers

• UVC-261
• DMR-024
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Die scratches across upper hair – EMDS
• Reverse is EMDS
• UVC-099
• DMR-013
• Stage C:
• Obverse is LMDS
• Reverse die changed – LMDS
• Reverse is LISTED as DDR-008
• Die chip between PL of PLURIBUS
• Stage D:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by ANACS, Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References