1976-D Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Bicentennial Kennedy half dollars carry a unique dual-date format — "1776-1976" — and WDDO-001 for the 1976-D issue documents a doubled die obverse on this special commemorative design. Attributed by the Wexler Team under Wexler Variety ID 1976-D 50c WDDO-001, this is the primary DDO cataloged for the Denver Mint's Bicentennial half dollar production. The 1976 Kennedy half dollar featured a special reverse by Seth Huntington depicting Independence Hall in Philadelphia, replacing Frank Gasparro's standard heraldic eagle for the Bicentennial celebration, while the obverse retained Gilroy Roberts' Kennedy portrait with the modified dual date. Hub doubling on the obverse could manifest on the dual-date inscription, IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, or details of Kennedy's portrait, and the -001 designation indicates this is the most notable such variety identified. Denver struck Bicentennial half dollars in massive quantities during both 1975 and 1976 (the coins are all dated 1776-1976 regardless of actual production year), with the combined Denver output reaching hundreds of millions of pieces. The copper-nickel clad composition used for circulation strikes provided a harder substrate than the companion 40% silver Bicentennial sets struck at Denver, and this metallurgical difference affects how doubled die features present on the finished coin surface. The Bicentennial coinage represents one of the most widely saved issues in American numismatics, as the general public recognized the commemorative significance and hoarded examples, creating large surviving populations that variety hunters can search for WDDO-001 specimens.

Attribution History

• Wexler Variety ID: 1976-D 50¢ WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References