1968-S Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002

Description

Submitted by Kevin Flynn and cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1968-S 50c Pr WDDR-002 with no other known cross-references, this proof Kennedy Half Dollar doubled die reverse presents an expansive doubling pattern spanning multiple reverse design zones. Doubled stars in the circle from 8 o'clock clockwise to 4 o'clock document hub displacement affecting approximately two-thirds of the thirteen-star arrangement encircling the heraldic eagle, with additional doubled stars visible below the clouds and behind the eagle's head — areas outside the main circle where individual stars punctuate the upper reverse field. The inscription areas show USA and EPU (abbreviations for UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM in the Wexler notation) spread toward center, indicating the secondary hub impression was displaced inward, pushing the doubled images of the rim inscriptions toward the coin's core rather than outward toward the periphery — a centerward displacement that is relatively unusual and diagnostically distinctive. Obverse die markers include a short vertical die gouge to the right of the upper T in LIBERTY. The reverse carries two identifying marks: a short vertical die scratch inside the lower E in UNITED and a die gouge inside the center left O in DOLLAR. The 1968-S proof Kennedy Half Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 40% silver-clad composition (outer layers of 80% silver / 20% copper bonded to a core of 20.9% silver / 79.1% copper) at 11.5 grams, part of the silver-clad proof sets sold to collectors. The mirrored proof surfaces amplify the visibility of the centerward inscription spread, making this variety more readily detectable on proof specimens than comparable spread would be on business strikes.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1968-S 50¢ Pr WDDR-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References