1971-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-008

Description

Carrying the Wexler Variety ID 1971-S 50c Pr WDDO-008 and attributed by the Wexler Team, this doubled die obverse was struck on a 1971-S proof Kennedy half dollar at the San Francisco Mint. The copper-nickel clad coin weighs 11.34 grams at 30.6 mm diameter and is part of the Kennedy Half Dollars Clad and Silver Proof 1971 to Date series. As the eighth numbered doubled die obverse for the 1971-S proof Kennedy, this variety is situated among the more prominent discoveries for this famously variety-rich date. The 1971 proof set, which also included the cent, nickel, dime, and quarter, was priced at $5.00 by the United States Mint and sold in significant quantities to collectors. The abundance of 1971-S proof Kennedy half dollar varieties has made this date a focal point for variety collectors, who have systematically examined large quantities of proof sets to identify and catalog the numerous hub doubling variations that exist. The proof striking process, with its polished planchets and multiple-strike operation at reduced speed, produces coins with mirror-like fields and sharp detail that make even subtle doubling visible under magnification. Gilroy Roberts' portrait of Kennedy was originally modeled from photographs and then refined by the Mint's chief engraver, and the intricate detail in the hair waves, nose, and jawline provides multiple areas where hub doubling can manifest in ways that are distinct from coin to coin, giving each WDDO variety its own diagnostic fingerprint.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1971-S 50¢ Pr WDDO-008
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References