1964 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-012

Description

From the inaugural year of the Kennedy half dollar series, the 1964 DDO-012 is a proof variety showing a light triple spread on WE TRUST, the designer's initials, hair detail at the back of the head, and RTY of LIBERTY. Triple spreads — where three distinct impressions are visible — indicate the hub contacted the die three times with slight misalignment between each impression, creating a more complex layered effect than standard doubled dies. This die pairs Obverse Design Variety 002 with Reverse Design Variety 002, the latter identified by the "Flared G" in Frank Gasparro's FG initials on the reverse. Cataloged under UVC-017 / DMR-017, Stage A shows a small horizontal die gouge on the bust northwest of WE and both obverse and reverse in Early Die State, progressing to Mid Die State at Stage B and Late Die State (unconfirmed) at Stage C. The RDV-002 Flared G reverse, where the tail of the G curves outward, is the more common of the two first-year reverse designs. Collectors seeking 1964 proof Kennedy varieties will find DDO-012's triple spread an unusual feature among the date's extensive doubled die census.

Die Markers

• UVC-017
• DMR-017
• Stage A:
• Small horizontal die gouge on bust Northwest of WE – EDS
• Reverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References