1968-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-006

Description

Sixth in the obverse doubled die census for the 1968-S Roosevelt dime, DDO-006 displays light extra thickness on three major obverse inscription groups: LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the designer's initials JS (John R. Sinnock). VarietyVista assigned die identifiers UVC-517 and DMR-008, documenting three die stages: Stage A where both obverse and reverse surfaces exhibit early die state characteristics, Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The EDS confirmation for Stage A indicates specimens with sharp, unworn die surfaces have been verified. The 1968 date marks a significant transition in Roosevelt dime production: it was the first year mintmarks returned after the 1965-1967 suspension and the first year San Francisco resumed proof dime production in the copper-nickel clad composition that had replaced the silver format after 1964. The comment notation identifies the reverse as RDV-002, characterized by a "strong flame" — a Reverse Design Variant where the torch flame on Sinnock's reverse exhibits more pronounced detail than standard variants, providing an additional identification checkpoint independent of the obverse doubling. Light extra thickness across three inscription areas — LIBERTY along the upper left rim, IGWT above Washington's head, and the JS initials at the neck truncation — indicates the secondary hub impression landed close to the primary across a broad arc of the die face, producing consistent but subtle thickening rather than dramatically separated doubled images. The proof format of the 1968-S dime amplifies the visibility of this light doubling, as the mirror fields and frosted devices create high-contrast surfaces. Collectors should examine LIBERTY, IGWT, and the JS initials under 15-20x magnification, comparing letter stroke widths against verified normal 1968-S proof dimes to confirm the extra thickness diagnostic.

Die Markers

• UVC-517
• DMR-008
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Delma K. Romines.
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References