1960 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Recognized as one of the more dramatic proof-only doubled die varieties in the Franklin Half Dollar series, the 1960 DDO-003 displays strong spread on LIBERTY and the date, with lighter but discernible doubling on IN and TRUST. This Philadelphia proof issue carries multiple catalog cross-references — FS-101, UVC-138, and DMR-005 — reflecting its prominence across major attribution systems. Three die stages have been identified for this variety. Stage A represents an early die state that remains unconfirmed, while Stage B captures the obverse and reverse in mid-die-state condition, and Stage C documents a late die state that is also unconfirmed, offering future researchers opportunities to expand the die stage record. The 1960 proof Franklin Half was struck during the final year of the series before the Kennedy design replaced it in 1964, lending additional historical weight to any variety from this date. Attributed by VarietyVista, DDO-003 occupies a significant position in the Franklin proof doubled die census. Collectors prize it for the boldness of its spread on the primary design legends and for the combination of proof surface quality with visible hub doubling — a pairing that produces especially crisp doubling details under proper lighting.

Die Markers

• UVC-138
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Rahn Ruedy
• FS-101
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References