1960 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-011

Description

Documented by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-015 and DMR-023, DDR-011 on the 1960 Franklin half dollar exhibits a medium spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM, with light spread extending to UNITED STATES, HALF DOLLAR, and the eagle — covering a broad range of reverse design elements on John R. Sinnock's Liberty Bell reverse. Three die stages have been recorded: Stage A in early die state remains unconfirmed, Stage B in mid die state shows a diagonal die gouge on the upper right bell corner with the obverse also in mid die state, and Stage C in late die state is unconfirmed. The diagonal die gouge on the upper right corner of the Liberty Bell at Stage B provides the most reliable die-specific attribution marker, positioned on one of the most prominent design features on the reverse. The 1960 Franklin half dollar was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 12.5 grams with a diameter of 30.6 mm. The medium spread on E PLURIBUS UNUM with decreasing intensity to light spread on the surrounding inscriptions and eagle suggests a hub displacement whose primary vector aligned most favorably with the EPU motto's position, with diminishing effect on more distant design elements. The Franklin half dollar series (1948-1963) was relatively short-lived, replaced by the Kennedy half dollar in 1964 following President Kennedy's assassination. As one of the later issues in the series, the 1960 date benefits from higher collector interest in Franklin halves that has grown considerably since the series' completion, and doubled die varieties like DDR-011 add meaningful numismatic value to specimens that might otherwise be valued primarily for their silver content.

Die Markers

• UVC-015
• DMR-023
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Diagonal die gouge on upper Right bell corner – MDS
• Obverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References