1970-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-005

Description

Cross-referenced as FS-101 in the Fivaz-Stanton Cherry Pickers' Guide, the 1970-S DDO-005 Kennedy Half Dollar is one of the most significant doubled die obverse varieties for this proof-only date. Strong doubling appears across all outer lettering, the date, and the hair detail at the top of Kennedy's head — a breadth of spread that makes this variety more readily detectable than many minor doubled dies. Die markers cataloged under UVC-163 and DMR-006 document three die stages from early die state through mid-die state to late die state (unconfirmed), and the reverse carries the RDV-003 designation. The 1970-S Kennedy Half Dollar occupies a pivotal position in the series as the final year of the 40% silver composition that had been used since 1965, when the Coinage Act ended 90% silver coinage. San Francisco struck only proof examples for collectors in 1970 — no business strike half dollars were produced that year — making every 1970-S half dollar a proof issue. VarietyVista cataloged DDO-005 with systematic die stage documentation, allowing collectors to track the progression of die wear across the variety's production life.

Die Markers

• UVC-163
• DMR-006
• Stage A:
• Obverse and Reverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Obverse and Reverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by Bill Fivaz
• FS-101
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References