1961 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-008

Description

Medium spread on RTY of LIBERTY, the date, and TRUST, with light spread extending to GOD WE, distinguishes this eighth doubled die obverse for the 1961 Franklin Half Dollar. Die markers under UVC-162 and DMR-010 track three stages: Stage A in Early Die State (unconfirmed), Stage B with obverse and reverse in Mid-Die State, and Stage C in Late Die State (unconfirmed). The medium spread on RTY creates visible letter separation that serves as the primary diagnostic, while the lighter spread on GOD WE requires higher magnification to confirm. Cataloged by VarietyVista, the 1961 Franklin Half Dollar was struck in 90% silver at Philadelphia, entering the final years of John R. Sinnock's design before the Kennedy Half Dollar replaced it in 1964. The Franklin Half Dollar series has attracted growing collector interest for die varieties as the design has matured, and eight DDOs for the 1961 date represents a substantial documented population. Medium spread on the date is particularly significant for attribution because date digits are large, deeply struck design elements where even modest hub displacement produces clearly measurable separation between normal and doubled positions, making field identification more practical than with finer design features.

Die Markers

• UVC-162
• DMR-010
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References