1840 Obverse P3 attribution grid

This die is easy to identify since it’s the only die that has the date centered vertically in the field. All other 1840 obverse dies have a date that’s higher. Obverse P3 is also characterized by several concentric die lines in the gown right of the shield. The most notable of these lines is indicated by the arrows in the attribution grid photo.

1. Perfect die.

Reverse A is best identified by the extensions of the vertical shield lines. 1-1 extends upward into the horizontal shield lines to horizontal line 7. 1-2 extends to 3, and 1-3 extends to 5. In addition 3-3 extends across the inside shield border at the bottom, and is the only vertical line to extend across the border.

1840 Reverse A die markers

1. Perfect die. In this early state faint die lines are visible slanting down to the left from the denticles above IC. These will be visible only on high-grade coins, strong XF or better. They fade quickly with die wear.
2. Very light clash marks in shield recesses 2 and 3.
3. Polished die. The light die lines above IC are no longer visible.