1964-D Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Documented by VarietyVista and cross-referenced as FS-105 in the Cherrypickers' Guide, DDO-005 on the 1964-D Kennedy Half Dollar exhibits strong triple spread on IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, TY of LIBERTY, and hair detail at the back of Kennedy's head. Die markers UVC-045 and DMR-007 identify this working die, with three die stages documented: Stage A shows a heavy die scratch in the field at the lips in early die state (EDS), with the reverse identified as RDV-002 (Flared G variety) and a die gouge connecting NI of UNITED also in EDS. Stage B is mid-die-state (MDS, unconfirmed), and Stage C shows both obverse and reverse in late die state (LDS). The triple spread designation means the hub impressed the die at least three times with slightly different alignments, creating not merely doubled but tripled images of the affected design elements — a relatively uncommon occurrence that produces more complex and visually dramatic doubling than standard two-impression varieties. The FS-105 cross-reference confirms this variety's inclusion in the widely used Cherrypickers' guide, giving it significant collector recognition. The 1964-D Kennedy Half Dollar was struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver composition (12.50 grams, 30.6 mm diameter), the first and only year the Kennedy Half was produced in full silver content before the reduction to 40% silver in 1965. Gilroy Roberts designed the obverse portrait and Frank Gasparro created the Presidential Seal reverse. The RDV-002 (Flared G) reverse die variety adds an additional attribution layer to this already significant variety.

Die Markers

• UVC-045
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• Heavy die scratch in field at lips – EDS
• Reverse is RDV-002 (Flared G)
• Die gouge connects NI of UNITED – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Fivaz
• FS-105
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References