1968-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Strong spread on all lettering and stars around the rim with medium triple spread on stars under OF AMERICA distinguishes the primary doubled die reverse for the 1968-S proof Kennedy Half Dollar, a variety significant enough to earn the Fivaz-Stanton designation FS-801. Attributed by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-139 and DMR-006, this variety shows documented die stages: Stage A with both reverse and obverse in Early Die State, Stage B at Mid Die State, and Stage C at Late Die State (unconfirmed). The proof notation confirms this was struck at the San Francisco Mint — 1968 was the first year proof production moved to San Francisco from Philadelphia, making this DDR-001 an early product of San Francisco's proof coin program. The reverse die variant is designated RDV-003. Triple spread on the stars under OF AMERICA indicates at least three discernible hub impressions left their mark on this die, a more complex hubbing history than the typical two-impression doubling seen on most DDR varieties. The Kennedy Half Dollar's 1965-1970 silver clad composition (80% silver outer layers over a 21% silver core) means this 1968-S proof was struck on 40% silver planchets — one of the final years of silver proof half dollars before the transition to copper-nickel clad proofs beginning in 1971.

Die Markers

• UVC-139
• DMR-006
• Stage A:
• Reverse and and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse and and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Jennifer Casazza
• FS-801
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References