1961 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Medium spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and HALF DOLLAR, with strong spread concentrated on the A of DOLLAR and the last A of AMERICA, makes this first-cataloged DDR for the 1961 Franklin Half Dollar one of the more visually accessible varieties in the series. Cross-referenced as FS-802 in the Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypicker's Guide, the FS listing confirms this variety's status as a recognized cherry-picking target for collectors examining rolls and bags of 1961 half dollars. Die markers under UVC-165 and DMR-013 document three stages: Stage A with reverse and obverse in Early Die State, Stage B in Mid-Die State, and Stage C in Late Die State, all three confirmed. The strong spread on the terminal A letters of DOLLAR and AMERICA provides the most reliable diagnostic, as these letter positions show the widest separation between normal and doubled images. Cataloged by VarietyVista, the 1961 Franklin Half Dollar was struck in 90% silver at Philadelphia during the penultimate year of the series, as the Kennedy Half Dollar would replace it beginning in 1964. The DDR-001 and FS-802 designations together mark this as the premier doubled die reverse for the date, carrying both primary catalog status and Cherrypicker recognition.

Die Markers

• UVC-165
• DMR-013
• Stage A:
• Reverse and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Reverse and Obverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines
• FS-802
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References