1971-D Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004

Description

Strong spread and extra thickness visible on HALF DOLLAR, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, all stars in the circle, arrows, designer's initials, clouds, and stars between the rays make this fourth doubled die reverse for the 1971 Denver Mint Kennedy Half Dollar one of the more dramatic varieties in the series. Attributed by VarietyVista with die markers UVC-417 and DMR-015, the variety progresses through three die stages: Stage A shows both reverse and obverse in Early Die State, Stage B reaches Mid Die State, and Stage C shows Late Die State. The variety also carries the obverse die variety designation ODV-002, indicating the same obverse die has been separately cataloged. The breadth of affected design elements — lettering, stars, arrows, clouds, and the designer's initials — indicates a substantial hubbing offset that left virtually no area of the reverse untouched. The 1971-D was the first year of fully clad Kennedy Half Dollars, replacing the 40% silver composition used from 1965 through 1970. Denver's transition to the new copper-nickel clad composition coincided with the production of this strongly doubled die, and the extensive spread across so many design elements suggests the hub was significantly displaced between impressions during die preparation.

Die Markers

• UVC-417
• DMR-015
• Stage A:
• Reverse and and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• Reverse and and Obverse are MDS
• Stage C:
• Reverse and and Obverse are LDS

Attribution History

• Discovered by Ken Glickman
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References