1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-006

Description

Carrying the Wexler Variety ID 1971-S 50¢ Pr WDDO-006, this doubled die obverse variety was identified on the 1971-S proof Kennedy half dollar produced at the San Francisco Mint. The Kennedy half dollar proof series transitioned to a copper-nickel clad composition for the 1971-S issue, with outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core, yielding a total weight of 11.34 grams and a diameter of 30.6 mm. San Francisco struck 3,220,733 proof sets in 1971, the first year of clad proof half dollar production after the 40% silver composition was discontinued for business strikes following 1970. The doubled die obverse designation indicates hub misalignment during die preparation produced detectable doubling on obverse design elements. Gilroy Roberts' portrait of President Kennedy, adapted from his inaugural medal design, provides the obverse canvas where the doubling manifests. The 1971-S proof date is notably prolific for doubled die obverse varieties, with over a dozen distinct WDDO listings cataloged by Wexler, suggesting that die quality or hubbing procedures at the San Francisco Mint during this production run were particularly susceptible to hub misalignment. Part of the Kennedy Half Dollars Clad and Silver Proof 1971 to Date series, this variety represents one of several that collectors can seek when examining 1971-S proof half dollars, making this date a particularly rewarding one for variety searching among proof sets from the early 1970s.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S 50¢ Pr WDDO-006
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References