1963 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-009

Description

Triple spread distinguishes DDR-009 on the 1963 Franklin half dollar from more common single-spread doubled dies. VarietyVista catalogs this variety as UVC-225 with die marriage reference DMR-030, noting medium triple spreading on E PLURIBUS UNUM and HALF DOLLAR, accompanied by lighter doubling on UNITED STATES OF and on the eagle design element. John Sinnock's reverse for the Franklin half dollar concentrates the denomination text and motto across a relatively tight area between the Liberty Bell and the small eagle, making overlapping hub impressions particularly evident. Three die stages have been established: Stage A remains unconfirmed at early die state, Stage B shows both reverse and obverse at mid-die-state, and Stage C at late die state is likewise unconfirmed. The 1963 half dollar holds distinction as the final year of the Franklin series before Gilroy Roberts' Kennedy portrait replaced it in 1964, giving this variety a last-year-of-issue context that appeals to series completion collectors. With a mintage of over 25 million pieces from Philadelphia, the 1963 Franklin saw heavy die usage, and the triple-spread characteristic of DDR-009 suggests the working die received three distinguishable hub impressions with slightly different positions — a less common occurrence than standard double hubbing.

Die Markers

• UVC-225
• DMR-030
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References