1972-S Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003

Description

WDDO-003 on the 1972-S Kennedy half dollar presents a Class I counterclockwise (CCW) rotational spread visible on the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Class I hub doubling, defined by rotation between the primary and secondary hub impressions, produces spread that increases with distance from the pivot center — on this variety, the CCW rotation manifests most clearly on the motto text. Gilroy Roberts' obverse portrait of President Kennedy, introduced in 1964, was in its ninth year when this proof die was prepared at the San Francisco Mint. The 1972-S proof half dollar was produced exclusively for inclusion in the annual proof set, with a total proof set production of approximately 3.26 million. As a clad-composition proof issue, this coin received multiple strikes from polished dies on specially prepared planchets, and the sharp proof surfaces actually aid in detecting the CCW spread on the motto letters. No significant obverse or reverse die markers have been noted beyond the doubled die itself. The WDDO designation follows the Wexler system of doubled die cataloging, complementing the Wiles numbering used for other series.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Not noted Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1972-S 50¢ Pr WDDO-003
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References