I've been CRH'ing for about 6 months. I have yet to find a DDO or DDR, and I'm slightly embarrassed to say that I've searched 60 boxes. Thus, I am not looking for the right things. (Granted, sometimes I am in a hurry, and to do this right, you can't be). Anyway, what I have been looking for are letters/numbers that look like this: http://www.numismedia.com/coinguys/top50/1974d50.jpg 1) Is that the easiest thing to look for in doubled dies? "Lines" in the letters? There are also split serifs that are harder to spot? I've also read about a "light" or "strong spread" (CONECA's varietyvista website). Does that refer to the "lines in the letters" or can it also mean that the letters are slightly thicker than normal? 2) Varietyvista lists 14 different doubled die Kennedy halves between 1971 and 1992. What are the years that should be most prevalent and/or easiest to find? 1974 because it is do pronounced? Other years because they are do prevalent?
Try to find a copy of James Wiles...The Kennedy Half Dollar Book. Using that book and the CONECA Master Listings is how I got started. Larry Nienaber
Chris: Yes, sorry I forgot to mention that I have the Cherrypickers Guide. Larry: thanks. I'll look for that other book.
Just wanted to let you know that I also attempted to find a copy of the Kennedy Half Dollar Book a few months ago (last summer?) It's out of print. There was one seller on Amazon selling a used copy for an outrageous sum (IMO.) It's no longer available there, so they either sold it or removed the listing. I also contacted Mr Wiles and CONECA - no copies and no immediate plans to re-print the book. My girlfriend used to work in a bookstore - she searched the online catalogs they used there to look up hard to find books. Also came up empty. Where I found success was by asking my local public library to find a copy and do an interlibrary loan for me. They told me there were TWO libraries in the country that had this book - the Library of Congress, and the Vigo County Library in Indiana. They ended up actually getting the book after about a month wait time. Once you have the book, you could use it for a couple weeks until you return it, or you could probably scan the entire book into PDF format. It's not a super long book. I'm not saying that's what I did - I'm just saying that could be a more permanent option. Disclaimer: I'd also like to say that, when available, I purchase copies of books I need for my own education, preferably from the authors themselves.
I've found that the 1974 D and 1977 D DDO-001 are pretty obvious. The 74 D would be the most common. I found over 20 of them searching rolls in the STL area, although I did look through quite a few before my supply side ran out (banks just won't order any more.) I found a few of the 77-D DDO-001 in Salt Lake City, but I went through about $2,000/week in bags to find those. Finally, I found a couple of the DDO-002 in Mint Sets. As far as I can recall, I've yet to find any others through bag/roll searching.
On a bit of a tangent, what the heck was wrong with the Denver mint? Why didn't Philly have as many DDO's?
Nice save. On a serious note though...I really do commend you for going to extra mile to further your coin knowledge!
Well, I tried my best to actually buy even a used copy but at some point it felt like price gouging. Some libraries offer the scan/print service for a fee (might be another option.) In the absence of realistic and reasonable means to share knowledge, I don't think I could blame someone for making a personal copy. If I were the author, I would get some reprinted or start selling digital copies.
I would imagine the demand is low enough that this wouldn't be cost affective. Unfortunately, that's the way things go.
If looking for a new copy of Wiles' "The Kennedy Half Dollar Book, An Attribution and Pricing Guide".... send me a PM
You can't blame Denver for all the Doubled Dies in the Kennedy series, until the late 1980s all dies were made in Philly (even the ones that Denver used).
Well, since you asked: For the Silver coins (40% and 90%) any date can have nice doubled dies. For the Copper Nickel Clad coins, concentrate on only the early years. Specifically, 1971 P&D, 1972 P&D, 1973 P&D and 1974 P&D. 1976 has some nice DDO and DDR coins. Notably the 1976-S 40% Silver BS DDO and the 1976-C CnClad Business Strike DDR. Then comes 1977. After that, pickings get a little scarcer although not impossible. Most of the notable Doubled Dies after 1977 are nearly impossible from coin rolls/boxes as they are very expensive. The alternative is sealed mint shipping containers instead of circulated coins. Good Luck.