1968-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003

Description

Cataloged by VarietyVista as DDR-003 with die marker code UVC-130 and DMR-007, this doubled die reverse variety appears on a 1968-D Kennedy half dollar struck at the Denver Mint in the silver clad composition. The Kennedy half dollar silver clad series (1965-1970) was composed of 80% silver and 20% copper for the outer layers bonded to a core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper, giving an overall silver content of 40%. The coin weighs 11.5 grams with a 30.6 mm diameter and a reeded edge. Denver's production of Kennedy half dollars in 1968 was substantial, as the denomination remained popular with both collectors and silver hoarders during the transition from 90% silver to the reduced silver content. The doubling on DDR-003 shows a medium spread on the stars under and the letters of OF AMERICA, affecting elements of the heraldic eagle reverse designed by Frank Gasparro based on the Presidential Seal. Three die stages have been documented: Stage A in early die state is unconfirmed; Stage B at mid-die state is also unconfirmed; Stage C in late die state shows numerous die scratches on both the reverse and obverse, indicating extensive die wear before retirement. The UVC-130 code places this die relatively early in VarietyVista's unique variety code sequence, suggesting it was among the earlier Kennedy half dollar varieties documented in their system. The 1968-D Kennedy half dollar occupies an interesting position in the series as part of the brief silver clad era that served as a transition between the 90% silver coins of 1964 and the copper-nickel clad coins that would begin in 1971. DDR-003 is the third cataloged doubled die reverse for the 1968-D date, and the medium spread on the stars and lettering provides collectors with a visually detectable variety on this transitional-era silver clad half dollar.

Die Markers

• UVC-130
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• Numerous die scratches on Reverse – LDS
• Numerous die scratches on Obverse – LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Frank Baumann
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References