1963 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-010

Description

Light spread on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF DOLLAR, E PL of PLURIBUS, and UN of UNUM identifies this tenth cataloged doubled die reverse for the 1963 Franklin Half Dollar — the final year of John R. Sinnock's design before the Kennedy Half Dollar replaced it in 1964. Cataloged by VarietyVista, this DDR is notably paired with obverse die DDO-010 during Stage A, creating a coin that carries doubled die effects on both sides. Die stage tracking reveals extensive use: Stage A (UVC-207, DMR-012) shows a die gouge dot under the L of HALF with both sides in Early Die State and the obverse listed as DDO-010; Stage B (UVC-231, DMR-036) transitions the reverse to Early-to-Mid Die State while the obverse die was replaced entirely; Stage C reaches Late Die State but remains unconfirmed. The die change between Stage A and Stage B is particularly significant — the original DDO-010 obverse was retired while the DDR-010 reverse continued production with a fresh obverse die, meaning specimens exist with two different obverse pairings. The 1963 Franklin Half Dollar was struck in 90% silver with a mintage of approximately 25.2 million at Philadelphia before the series ended with Kennedy's assassination.

Die Markers

• UVC-207
• DMR-012
• Stage A:
• Die gouge dot under the L of HALF – EDS
• Obverse is LISTED as DDO-010 – EDS
• UVC-231
• DMR-036
• Stage B:
• Reverse is EMDS
• Obverse die changed – EDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References