1966 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-015

Description

Strong spread on the ear, hair at top of head, and back of neck combined with medium spread on the profile and eye, counterclockwise rotation on LIBERTY, and light spread on IN GOD WE TRUST makes DDO-015 a multi-zone doubled die obverse on the 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar — struck during the Special Mint Set (SMS) era when regular proof sets were suspended from 1965 through 1967. VarietyVista cataloged this variety with die markers under UVC-089 and DMR-017 tracking three stages: Stage A at Early Die State with minor Class II doubling on stars under STATES OF AMERICA, Stage B at Mid Die State (unconfirmed), and Stage C with both obverse and reverse at Late Die State. The SMS notation in the comments confirms this variety originated on Special Mint Set production, where coins received enhanced quality finishes intermediate between business strikes and proofs. Gilroy Roberts' Kennedy portrait, with its detailed hair waves and anatomical ear structure, captures hub doubling with striking clarity in the strong-spread zones — particularly the ear and neck where the displacement produces visible secondary contours. The 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar was struck in 40% silver-clad composition, the transitional alloy adopted after the 90% silver 1964 issue, and the counterclockwise rotational spread on LIBERTY suggests the hub pivoted during impression rather than shifting laterally.

Die Markers

• UVC-089
• DMR-017
• Stage A:
• Obverse is EDS
• Minor class II doubling on stars under STATES OF AMERICA – EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References