1983 DDR#1

[Robert]

Article by Potter in April 5 CW (page 62).

Shows pics of one found in circulation.

It mentions that aside from the obvious doubling of the design, all known authentic 1983 DDRs show "weakness in the lower STA of STATES and the E of E PLURIBUS UNUM"

His pics show that the bottom of the "STA" is mushy and it almost blends with the background. The "E" of EPU is also mushy though the bottom horizontal bar is clearly doubled.


Any comments?

[Bob P]

Sounds like the correct diagnosis to me. I have seen and analyzed three copies of that die and found those characteristics on all of them. One was circ and the two BU examples were different die states.
Now...If I could only get one for my personal collection...I'd be a happy camper.

[GarryN]

I saw one close up at one of my local shops and it exhibited the pitting that I guess is common to those coins. It was a 64RD. Albanese Rare Coins recently had two for sale, a 64RD for $250 and a 65RD for $390. Both are sold now. All 3 coins encapsulated were by PCGS. I believe the price of the coin at the shop was $275.

[coppercoins]

I would highly suggest to anyone who wants this variety to buy the first good, clean copy they find at whatever price. Because of the horrendous problems the Mint had with planchets and the copper plating from 1982-1988, any die varieties from these years. especially the really major ones, should be considered highly rare in any form that is preservable. This means no gas bubbles, a clean planchet, and no plating splitting, especially on the side affected by the die variety.

Just buy them, you'll be pleasantly surprised in 15 years when they are all but non-existant in any grade above MS65.