1968-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Exhibiting a medium triple spread on UNITED STATES and the stars beneath those letters, DDR-005 on the 1968-D Kennedy Half Dollar extends to a double spread on the remainder of the stars, other lettering, and inside the leaves — making this one of the more dramatic doubled die reverses in the 40% silver Kennedy series. The 1968-D half dollar was struck in 40% silver (80% silver outer layers over a 21% silver core), the transitional composition used from 1965 through 1970 before the switch to copper-nickel clad in 1971. Cataloged by VarietyVista (UVC-132, DMR-009), three die stages are documented. Stage A is early die state (unconfirmed). Stage B shows the lower F of the designer's initials (Frank Gasparro's FG) partially abraded away, with the obverse in mid-die state. Stage C is cataloged as late die state (unconfirmed). The triple spread on UNITED STATES indicates three distinct hub impressions, each slightly displaced, creating a layered effect more complex than standard doubling. The partial abrasion of the designer's initials in Stage B provides a reliable secondary marker for attribution.

Die Markers

• UVC-132
• DMR-009
• Stage A:
• EDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Lower F of designer's initials partially abraded away – MDS
• Obverse is MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Julio Sequeira
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References