1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Attributed by the Wexler Team with Variety ID 1971-S 50c Pr WDDO-002, this doubled die obverse was discovered on a 1971-S proof Kennedy half dollar struck at the San Francisco Mint. The 1971-S proof half dollar is a copper-nickel clad coin weighing 11.34 grams with a 30.6 mm diameter, marking the first year that proof Kennedy half dollars were struck in the clad composition after the silver-clad proofs of 1968-1970. This variety is part of the Kennedy Half Dollars Clad and Silver Proof 1971 to Date series. The 1971-S proof Kennedy is one of the most prolific dates for doubled die varieties in the entire Kennedy half dollar series, with dozens of documented obverse and reverse varieties. This abundance stems from the die manufacturing techniques employed during this era, where multiple hub impressions were required to create each working die, and even slight misalignment between successive impressions could produce observable doubling. Gilroy Roberts designed the obverse portrait of President John F. Kennedy, which debuted in 1964 just months after Kennedy's assassination, making it one of the most emotionally resonant designs in American numismatics. The transition from silver-clad to copper-nickel clad in 1971 changed the striking characteristics of the half dollar, and collectors of this date should examine the motto, date, and lettering areas where doubled die effects most commonly appear on Kennedy half dollars from the San Francisco facility.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S 50¢ Pr WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References