1961 DOUBLE DIE REVERSE FRANKLIN PCGS PR 67 CAMEO
ultimatecameo
Posts: 244
1961 DOUBLE DIE REVERSE FRANKLIN PCGS PR 67 CAMEO
This is another coin I wanted to share with the Registry Message board. I think we all share a common bond for finding rare and beautiful coins.
I am primarily interested in major die varieties – varieties that are easily distinguishable with the unaided eye. The 1961 DDR offers dramatic doubling on the reverse, comparable to the 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent.
Recently placed this coin with a client. This is the only example graded PR67CAM by PCGS. The coin borders on DCAM on the obverse, the reverse a solid CAM.
This is 12th 1961 Double Die PCGS has certified, in all grades, none of the others grading CAM. PCGS has certified approximately 1,500 1955 Double Die Lincoln cents.
Estimating the total population of the 1961 DDR may be impossible. We do know that the mint reportedly struck 3,000-4,000 proof half dollars per die during that era. I think it is doubtful the 1961 DDR die was used for this length of time.
We do know that most of the proof sets from this era have now been searched through many times over. We also know that many of the “common date” proof Franklins were melted down for silver during the bullion boom of the late-70’s – early 80’s.
I would guesstimate I’ve gone through at least 100,000 – 200,000 1961 proof sets over the years. While I did not search for the DDR early on, I have been checking for this variety the past decade, and have yet to find one.
This is another coin I wanted to share with the Registry Message board. I think we all share a common bond for finding rare and beautiful coins.
I am primarily interested in major die varieties – varieties that are easily distinguishable with the unaided eye. The 1961 DDR offers dramatic doubling on the reverse, comparable to the 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent.
Recently placed this coin with a client. This is the only example graded PR67CAM by PCGS. The coin borders on DCAM on the obverse, the reverse a solid CAM.
This is 12th 1961 Double Die PCGS has certified, in all grades, none of the others grading CAM. PCGS has certified approximately 1,500 1955 Double Die Lincoln cents.
Estimating the total population of the 1961 DDR may be impossible. We do know that the mint reportedly struck 3,000-4,000 proof half dollars per die during that era. I think it is doubtful the 1961 DDR die was used for this length of time.
We do know that most of the proof sets from this era have now been searched through many times over. We also know that many of the “common date” proof Franklins were melted down for silver during the bullion boom of the late-70’s – early 80’s.
I would guesstimate I’ve gone through at least 100,000 – 200,000 1961 proof sets over the years. While I did not search for the DDR early on, I have been checking for this variety the past decade, and have yet to find one.
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Comments
Great coin and neat doubling. Thanks for sharing this one with us.
Keith
I wish Ikes had a DD as dramatic as that one. Of course your Franklin has a head start, maybe a similar Ike will surface after another 10 years of searching.
When is your next book going to be finished?
Ray
What about those clad Ike's struck on silver planchets? I'd love to get my hands on one of those. I remember seeing one in auction several years ago. I believe it was a 1974-D. I passed because I thought it was too much money - around $3,000. Oh well. Another case of 20-20 hindsight. If I ever get another chance........
The re-write of the "Franklin Guide" is almost done. There's also a chapter or two I want to add. We are also looking at adding a section for color photography - featuring some nice mint state color coins, cameo proofs, etc.
If anyone has a spectacular toned Franklin for possible inclusion, let me know. I remember seeing a beautiful 1962-D a member posted a few weeks back.
The other book on U.S. proof coins, mid-1800's- present, is a much bigger project. No target date on that book yet.
Greg
many thanks!
dan
and have you found anymore DCAM Liberty Nickels?
The obverse is a full DCAM. The reverse is not quite DCAM. This was also a straight scan. No computer tricks!
Nice shot Rick!
Mark
Beautiful coin for sure.
I think we may have used a digital camera for that coin - Nikon Koolpix.
Well... must have been a little trickery somewhere, unless PCGS changed label colors again to raise money.
The shade of the label has a lot to do with the direction of the light source for the camera. Cameo proof Franklins have been one of the most difficult subjects to photograph. When we did the cameo proof book, we often had to reshoot 6,7,8 times, using different lighting setups, to finally get an approximate representation of a particular coin as the eye would see it, under normal incandescent lighting. A lighting setup that would work perfectly for one coin, would not work for another. "Hot-spots" in the mirrors of a coin, the texture of the particular cameo being photographed, each coin required its own setup - this was the most worrisome part of the project.
On the other hand, cameo proof type coins - Morgan dollars, Seated coinage, etc. tend to photograph and scan very well. A photography expert out there might be able to shed some light on this subject, no pun intended.
But I'm just giving you a hard time, it's a very nicely done photo.
I will ask him again! He assured me the first time it was the camera angle! If its not true, I'll fire him. But then I have to fire myself, because I hired him.