1968-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005

Description

Produced at the San Francisco Mint during the early clad era of Roosevelt Dime production, this fifth doubled die reverse bears VarietyVista codes UVC-789 and DMR-016 and presents medium extra thickness across UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DIME, and E PLURIBUS UNUM — essentially affecting all reverse legend text. The breadth of the doubling across nearly every inscription indicates a substantial hub shift between impressions during die preparation, producing a variety that is more readily detectable than those confined to a single word or small design area. Stage A die markers include a die gouge patch under the C of AMERICA at Early Die State with the obverse also at EDS, Stage B at Mid-Die State remains unconfirmed, and Stage C at Late Die State likewise awaits verification. The reverse is identified as RDV-002, characterized by a strong torch flame — a specific reverse die variety within the VarietyVista classification that helps tie this doubled die to its particular die lineage. The 1968-S holds historical significance as the year San Francisco resumed proof coinage after the 1965-1967 hiatus when all proof production was suspended during the transition from silver to clad composition. However, the 1968-S also saw business strike production at San Francisco, and the die state markers suggest this DDR-005 may appear on either proof or business strike specimens depending on the die's assignment. The combination of widespread legend doubling with the strong-flame reverse die variety makes this a diagnostically rich variety for Roosevelt Dime specialists.

Die Markers

• UVC-789
• DMR-016
• Stage A:
• Die gouge patch under C of AMERICA – EDS
• Obverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Timothy Wissert
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References