1974-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002

Description

Bearing the WDDO-002 designation for the 1974-D Kennedy half dollar, this variety presents a strong counterclockwise spread visible on IN GOD WE TRUST, the date, and LIBERTY — three of the primary obverse inscription zones on Gilroy Roberts' Kennedy portrait design. The strong classification places this among the more dramatically doubled Kennedy half dollar obverse dies, where the counterclockwise rotational displacement produces clearly visible secondary images without requiring extreme magnification. Denver struck approximately 79.07 million Kennedy half dollars in 1974, continuing the large production runs characteristic of the copper-nickel clad era that began in 1971. The Wexler Team recorded no significant obverse die markers beyond the doubling itself, but the reverse carries multiple diagnostic die scratches: one running southwest from the bottom of the I in UNITED, accompanied by numerous other die scratches distributed throughout the reverse surface. This abundance of reverse die scratches provides a rich secondary identification toolkit, as the specific pattern of scratches constitutes a unique fingerprint for this die marriage. Cross-referenced as Wexler Variety ID: 1974-D 50¢ WDDO-002, with no additional attribution system listings currently known. The counterclockwise (CCW) spread direction indicates the secondary hub impression rotated in an anti-clockwise direction relative to the primary, and the strong magnitude means the doubled images are sufficiently separated to be visible under modest magnification of 5-10x on well-preserved specimens. Collectors should examine IGWT first, where the curved motto inscription amplifies rotational displacement, then verify the date and LIBERTY show consistent CCW directionality before confirming the reverse die scratch pattern beneath the I of UNITED.

Attribution History

• Discovered by William Slaughter Cross References: None known
• None known; Wexler Variety ID: 1974-D 50¢ WDDO-002
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References