1960 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-005

Description

Attributed as Wexler Variety ID: 1960 50¢ Pr WDDO-005, this proof Franklin Half Dollar exhibits strong tripling — three distinct hub impressions — rather than standard doubling. The tripled spread towards the center is most prominent on LIBERTY, while IN GOD WE TRUST displays a lesser tripled spread that increases from left to right. Doubling also appears on the date. John R. Sinnock designed the Franklin Half Dollar, which was struck from 1948 through 1963, and all proof examples were produced exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint. Die markers confirm attribution: a die gouge sits on the center left of the vertical bar of the first T in TRUST, and a die scratch crosses the lower B of LIBERTY. The reverse shows no significant die markers. Tripling is scarcer than standard doubling because it requires the hub to impress the die in three separate applications with distinct positional shifts. Proof dies received special preparation — polished fields and frosted devices — making any hubbing anomaly particularly visible against the mirror-like surfaces that characterize proof strikes of this era.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy J. Wissert Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1960 50¢ Pr WDDO-005
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References