JFK collectors (Russ?): Spectacular doubled die obverse 1966 SMS?

RGL

In hand today, a 1966 SMS MS-66 CAM JFK displaying spectacular, visible-to-the-naked-eye doubling on the profile along the neck, lips and nose. This is major doubling, heavily pronounced on the chin and nose/nostrils, in particular. I heavily lean against it being strike doubling because it is not flat and shelf-like and the GOD and WE in In God We Trust also displays doubling, including the serifs on the lettering, which to me is always the determining factor on a true doubled die vs. strike doubling. Does anyone know anything about this coin and its perceived rarity? I admit I know nothing about JFK doubled dies ... Thanks.

ldhair

Any hooks at the end of the doubling?

cladking

There are several reported DDO '66 halfs. A couple of them
are fairly dramatic and command premiums. Sounds like it
might be DDO 7 or DDO 15. Is the L and B in liberty much
doubled? If so it's more likely 15. There is a lot of machine
doubling on these often.

Both of these real DDO's have the secondary image toward
the left.

RGL

Thanks ... insofar as hooks on the doubling, the serifs on the letters are doubled as is typical of diagnostics of genuine doubled dies. No doubling appears on the L and B of LIBERTY. The secondary image is to the left and very pronounced and spectacular, giving JFK a double chin, two sets of lips and a doubled nose, with the doubled nostrils very heavy.

DHeath

OK.....enough talk. Put up the damb pic!

RGL

Regrettably, Don, my technology lags my words ... I need to lay off some coins and buy a decent digital camera.

cladking

DDO 7 doesn't appear to have strong doubling on the nostril in the Wiles book.
Perhaps yours is the DDO 21.

DHeath

OK.....you'll just have to mail it to me.

Seriously, if you get a chance to image the coin, I'd sure love to see it someday. Don't forget to image it when the technology bug hits. Sounds like a great find. Some of my most prized coins are the errors I've found myself, and dramatic doubling is spectacular.

Russ

I believe it's a DDO-019. It has the most prominent doubling of the chin, lips and nostrils. I'll have an image up shortly.

Russ, NCNE

Russ

How does that compare to your coin?

Russ, NCNE

RGL

They photographed this coin previously, Russ. That is it, no ifs ands or buts. Any idea as to its relative rarity? Thank you all ...

Russ

Randy,

Check one more diag to be sure. There should be doubling inside the last 6 of the date. If it is the DDO-019, it has a URS of 1.

Russ, NCNE

RGL

OK, finally dropped the 5x and used the 16x ... There is slight doubling to the left of B in LIBERTY and to the left of the second 6 in 1966. I detect no other doubling in date or Liberty. Roberts' stylized initials on base of bust also are doubled ... photo above appears identical insofar as chin, lips and nose/nostrils ...

Russ

Randy,

You have a DDO-013. Those last two diagnostics confirm it. The image in Wiles' book does not show the doubling on the front of the face as prominently as DDO-019, but it's there. DDO-013 has a URS of 8.

Russ, NCNE

RGL

Thanks, Russ, for solving my mystery coin! Still amazing to see doubling this spectacular on an SMS coin and an early die state to boot as evidenced by the CAM. Still, a relative rarity with 125 known max for which I paid no premium. It's things like this doubled die -- and learning about them -- that help make numismatics so exciting!