1973-S Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001

Description

Holding the primary reverse doubled die designation for the 1973-S Eisenhower dollar clad proof, DDR-001 exhibits medium spread affecting all rim lettering, stars, craters, and E PLURIBUS UNUM, with the strongest doubling concentrated on the lower portion of the reverse. Frank Gasparro's Apollo 11-inspired reverse — featuring an eagle landing on the lunar surface with Earth visible above — placed intricate crater detail and scattered stars across the design field, creating surfaces where hub doubling produces visible displacement at multiple points simultaneously. VarietyVista assigned identifiers UVC-053 and DMR-007, documenting three die stages: Stage A with both reverse and obverse at early die state, Stage B at mid die state (unconfirmed), and Stage C at late die state (unconfirmed). The CN Proof notation confirms this variety originated from the copper-nickel clad proof production at San Francisco, where specially prepared dies struck polished planchets under controlled conditions. San Francisco's proof production of Eisenhower dollars in 1973 encompassed both the clad and 40% silver proof versions, and the DDR-001 designation for the clad proof indicates this is the most significant doubled reverse die identified for this specific composition-strike combination. Medium spread across virtually the entire reverse — rim lettering, stars, craters, and motto — suggests a broad angular displacement during hubbing rather than a localized distortion, and the concentration of strongest doubling on the lower reverse provides collectors with a specific region to prioritize during examination. The proof format's mirror fields and frosted devices can enhance or obscure doubling diagnostics depending on lighting angle, so fiber-optic illumination directed at the lower reverse area is recommended for initial attribution.

Die Markers

• UVC-053
• DMR-007
• Stage A:
• Reverse and Obverse are EDS
• Stage B:
• MDS (unconfirmed)
• Stage C:
• LDS (unconfirmed)

Attribution History

• Discovered by James Wiles
• Expert attribution by VarietyVista

External References