1968-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-007

Description

Displaying light spread on all lettering and stars around the rim including rays and stars between the rays, this 1968-S Kennedy Half Dollar proof doubled die reverse features a particularly strong notch on the upper C of AMERICA as its most prominent diagnostic element. Cataloged in the VarietyVista system as UVC-419 with DMR-012, DDR-007 has three documented die states: Stage A in mid-die state (unconfirmed), Stage B with both reverse and obverse in MDS, and Stage C in late die state (unconfirmed). The reverse die variety is designated RDV-003, and the variety is noted as a proof issue. The 1968-S Kennedy Half Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint in the 40% silver clad composition — the transitional alloy that bridged the gap between the original 90% silver content and the copper-nickel clad that would follow. As a proof coin, it received multiple strikes on polished planchets using polished dies, creating the mirror-like fields against which the light doubling is most effectively observed. The spread affecting all lettering and stars around the rim suggests a rotational or radial hub doubling event that displaced design elements uniformly across the periphery. The strong notch on the upper C of AMERICA — a localized area of more pronounced doubling — provides the quickest visual diagnostic for attributing this variety without detailed measurement. Seven doubled die reverses documented for the 1968-S proof half dollar reflects the depth of research applied to silver-content Kennedy Half proof issues, where collectors value the intersection of precious metal content with die variety attribution.

Die Markers

• UVC-419
• DMR-012
• Stage A:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage B:
• Reverse and and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References