1966 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-016

Description

Struck as a Special Mint Set coin rather than a proof, this 1966 Kennedy Half Dollar was produced in 40% silver composition, the reduced silver alloy used for half dollars from 1965 through 1970 during the transition away from 90% silver coinage. Cataloged by VarietyVista with attribution codes UVC-090 and DMR-018, DDO-016 displays hub doubling on Lincoln's profile, eye, ear, and designer's initials on the obverse. Special Mint Set coins were produced from 1965 to 1967 as a replacement for traditional proof sets, featuring a finish quality between business strike and proof that makes them a distinct collecting category. The SMS designation is important for accurate attribution, as these coins are sometimes confused with proofs despite being struck by a different process. Hub doubling affecting multiple design elements including the profile, eye, ear, and Gilroy Roberts's initials indicates a significant shift between hubbing impressions. The 1966 SMS Kennedy Half Dollar's 40% silver composition gives it intrinsic precious metal value while the doubled die attribution adds numismatic premium for variety specialists.

Die Markers

• UVC-090
• DMR-018
• Stage A:
• Small horizontal die gouge East of designer's initials – EDS
• Die scratch South from lower serif of S of TRUST
• Rust pits inside lower R of AMERICA – EMDS
• Stage B:
• Three die scratches sweeping away from nose – MDS
• Die scratch from S of TRUST is gone
• Reverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• Obverse and Reverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References