1970-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team as 1970-S 50-cent Proof WDDO-001, and cross-referenced as Cherrypickers FS-50-1970S-101 and CONECA 5-O-I, this Kennedy Half Dollar doubled die obverse from the Silver Clad series (1965-1970) exhibits a strong counterclockwise spread on LIBERTY, upper hair details, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date. The CCW (counterclockwise) spread pattern indicates the hub was rotated slightly between impressions, producing a rotational offset visible across these inscription and design elements. Obverse die markers include a small pitted area between the lower break of hair and the bottom back of the neck, plus a rough die surface to the left of the lower hair — both providing independent die-specific confirmation beyond the doubled features themselves. The 1970-S Kennedy Half Dollar holds special significance as the final year of the 40% silver clad composition used from 1965 to 1970 — struck in outer layers of 80% silver and 20% copper bonded to a core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper, weighing 11.5 grams at 30.6 mm diameter with a reeded edge. Only proof examples were produced at San Francisco in 1970, with no business-strike half dollars from any mint that year, making the entire 1970-S proof production the sole source for this date. The triple cross-referencing across Wexler, Cherrypickers (FS-50-1970S-101), and CONECA (5-O-I) confirms this variety's significance and broad recognition in the attribution community. Gilberto Proctor Roberts designed the obverse portrait of President Kennedy, introduced in 1964. The strong CCW spread on LIBERTY serves as the primary pick-up point, with the date and IGWT providing supporting confirmation under 7x to 10x magnification.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Fivaz Cross References: Cherrypickers: FS-50-1970S-101, CONECA: 5-O-I
• Cherrypickers: FS-50-1970S-101, CONECA: 5-O-I; Wexler Variety ID: 1970-S 50¢ Pr WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References