1960 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002

Description

Attributed by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-137 and DMR-004, the 1960 DDO-002 Franklin Half Dollar displays light spread on LIBERTY, the date, and WE TRUST — three inscription elements spanning the upper, lower, and right portions of John R. Sinnock's obverse design. The light spread across these distributed elements indicates the hub displacement was sufficient to produce detectable extra thickness at multiple die face positions rather than concentrating in a single zone. Three die stages document this working die's service life: Stage A shows early-to-mid die state (EMDS) with a die gouge dot northeast of the D of GOD and the reverse also in EMDS; Stage B presents both obverse and reverse in mid-die state (MDS); Stage C reaches late die state (unconfirmed). The Stage A die gouge northeast of the D of GOD provides a distinctive early-state marker — its "dot" classification means this is a small, localized gouge rather than a linear scratch, appearing as a raised dot on struck coins adjacent to the D in the motto. The Franklin Half Dollar was designed by Sinnock, featuring Benjamin Franklin's portrait on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver composition, weighing 12.5 grams at 30.6 mm diameter with a reeded edge. The 1960 Philadelphia issue was produced during the penultimate era of silver circulating coinage — just four years before the Kennedy Half Dollar replaced the Franklin design in 1964. As DDO-002, this variety holds the second catalog position among 1960 Franklin doubled die obverses, indicating it was either the second variety discovered or the second most significant. Examination should begin at the die gouge dot northeast of D in GOD to confirm the die, then verify light spread across LIBERTY, date, and WE TRUST.

Die Markers

• UVC-137
• DMR-004
• Stage A:
• Die gouge dot Northeast of the D of GOD – EMDS
• Reverse is EMDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References