I have in my possession 3 very nice DDR (apparently hub doubled) Kenndy Halves (all 40% silver). They are: 1965-P with strong doubling in "ICA" and "DOLLAR" (approx. grade XF-40 with no significant toning) 1966-P with doubling in all letters of "AMERICA" (approx. grade VF-30 no significant toning) 1968-D with strong doubling in "RICA" (approx. grade XF-45 with some dark toning around the devices and legends--but not colored toning) I am going to send the coins to PCGS for grading, but I have absolutely no idea what the rarity or, more importantly, what the value of these coins are (for insurance purposes). Can someone help me out here? I would post some photos, but my USB microscope is in transit and hasn't arrived. Thanks in advance!
Machine Doubling is quite common on the Kennedy Half's and you really need to post pictures before submitting anything. Examples: Below is a doubled die (which also has some machine doubling on it) True doubling is the Red Arrows while the Machine doubling is the White arrows: While the coin below is not. As incredible as it looks when you pull back: It's still NOT a doubled die. This phenomenon occurs when the coin is moved before completely clearing the die at ejection time OR when the press falls out of alignment with loose screws due to the incredible amount of force that is used to mint these large cooins. Very much similar to taking a rubber ink stamp, placing it on paper and then moving the stamp before it is picked up from the paper. A doubled die occurs when the die is created and has been improperly aligned with its working hub prior to rehubbing. In the past, all dies were hubber at least twice to bring out their full relief. Working Hubs are what Working Dies are created from and the process is: Galvano to Master Hub to Master Die to Working Hub to Working Die. The Working Hub to Working Die requires precise alignment to avoid creating a doubled image on the working die. When you get a chance, please post pictures for a better determination or compare the photo's I;ve provided with what you have.
Well, the question is answered then from your images. The coins that I have are machine doubled. Looking at your images, it seems to be VERY hard to pick out a true doubled die coin. Is it always a blob at the ends of the serifs or letters? Or are there other giveaway telltale signs? Thanks for your help!
If the underlying image appears flat and shelf-like, it is machine doubling (also called mechanical doubling). Chris
Thanks Chris, much appreciated information---I have learned something I did not know. But again, are there any telltales to a true doubled die besides the extra serifs?
I think that was the info he gave you... Any portion of a device or the whole device can be doubled (not just serifs), but the key is the appearance of the secondary image... If you look at what he shows as machine doubling above you will see that the 'lower' image appears very flat as if the top of the letters/digits were sheared off where if were a doubled die, both images would appear rounded as they would if they were struck normally... The coin he shows with the split serifs indicated a doubled die because both serifs are rounded, fully formed images, where the machine doubling nearby has that shelf effect... Also, the machine doubling many times causes the primary devices to appear thinner than normal...
I was just about to say that! Thanks for saving me the time. By the way, I think you explained it better that I would have. Chris
ya know what i have a pf 67 1964 kennedy with the same type of die movement..thing at firsti thought it was doubling..
Hi Guys, I just wanted to say that this was a well done thread Great question, great pictures and great result! Have Fun, Bill
