1964 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1964 50¢ WDDO-002 and cross-referenced as CONECA 7-O-II, this Class II (distorted hub) doubled die obverse was struck on a 1964 Kennedy half dollar, one of the most iconic coins in modern American numismatics. The 1964 Kennedy half dollar was the first year of issue, struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 12.50 grams with a 30.6 mm diameter, making it the last regular-issue 90% silver half dollar in United States coinage. The doubling shows as a Class II spread towards the center on IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, the designer's initials, and the TY in LIBERTY. The Class II mechanism indicates the hub was slightly rotated during a secondary hubbing impression, creating displacement that appears as a center-ward shift. Obverse die markers include a small die gouge (dot) to the left of the lower T in LIBERTY. On the reverse, the G in designer Frank Gasparro's initials FG shows a flared appearance. The Wexler Team notes that slight doubling visible on USA and the circle of stars on the reverse originates from the doubled master die listed as WMDR-001, meaning this reverse-side doubling is present on all dies made from that master die rather than being unique to this specific working die. Gilroy Roberts' portrait of President John F. Kennedy, adapted from the inaugural medal, provides the obverse design elements where this hub doubling manifests. The 1964 Kennedy half dollar was produced in enormous quantities at both Philadelphia and Denver as the public hoarded them as memorials to the assassinated president, and doubled die varieties on this emotionally significant date attract strong collector interest.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John A. Wexler Cross References: CONECA: 7-O-II
• CONECA: 7-O-II; Wexler Variety ID: 1964 50¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References