1971-S Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003

Description

Third cataloged doubled die obverse for the 1971-S proof Kennedy Half Dollar, DDO-003 is documented by VarietyVista as UVC-183 and DMR-005, with the obverse designated ODV-002. Three die stages have been recorded: Stage A shows a short die gouge on the truncation of the bust west of the W of WE in early die state, paired with a reverse also in early die state; Stage B at mid-die state remains unconfirmed; Stage C at late die state is likewise unconfirmed. The Stage A die gouge near Kennedy's bust truncation serves as the primary diagnostic for attributing this variety. Struck as a proof at the San Francisco Mint in 40% silver clad composition, the 1971-S Kennedy Half Dollar represents the final year of silver-content proof half dollars before the transition to copper-nickel clad in 1972. The 1971-S proof saw a mintage of 3,220,733 pieces, and DDO varieties from the silver clad era carry particular interest among Kennedy specialists who value both the precious metal content and the variety's documentation in the die catalog.

Die Markers

• UVC-183
• DMR-005
• Stage A:
• Short die gouge on truck of bust West of W of WE – EDS
• Reverse is EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References