1961 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-009

Description

Produced in the final year of the Franklin Half Dollar series, DDR-009 on the 1961 Proof issue shows light spread on the last A of AMERICA and the eagle perched atop the Liberty Bell. The eagle is particularly significant as a diagnostic zone — its feathers and body contour amplify even light displacement into discernible doubling that can be detected before confirming the subtler effect on the letter A. Cataloged as UVC-173 with DMR-021, the variety has been documented at Stage B in mid-die state on both the obverse and reverse, with early and late die states remaining unconfirmed. The 1961 Proof Franklin Half Dollar represents one of the final proof issues of John R. Sinnock's design honoring Benjamin Franklin, as the series would be succeeded by the Kennedy Half Dollar following President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963. Struck at Philadelphia in 90% silver on specially prepared planchets with polished dies, the 1961 proof stands among the closing chapter of a series that ran from 1948 through 1963. Proof mirrored fields render the light spread more visible than on a business strike. Attributed by VarietyVista.

Die Markers

• UVC-173
• DMR-021
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References