1841 OC-2

Die Pair 1 - A
Date Grid L QTR / 5-4.0 / VS up
Obverse Die States b, c, d
Estimated Rarity R1
1, 1 Vertical VSH, C
Reverse Die States a



Comments:    This is the second of 3 uses of Obverse 1 and only use of Reverse A.


Obverse 1

The photo below shows the Obverse 1 attribution grid.



1841 Obverse 1 attribution grid

Obverse 1 exhibits heavy die lines slanting down from the lower right edge of the shield into the gown and rock, shown by the arrows on the attribution grid photo.

Obverse 1 Die States
  1. Perfect die. Repunching above the top and crossbar of the 4. Heavy unfinished areas around the right arm and extending from the right end of the rock to the rim. See the pictures which follow.
  2. Polished die. Repunching at the top of the 4 has been removed. Unfinished areas are still clearly visible.
  3. Further die polishing. Unfinished areas greatly reduced but still visible.
  4. Tiny rim cuds below 84.
No later die states have been observed. OC-2 is found with obverse die states b, c, and d. Features which define the die states are shown in the photos below.

The next two pictures show the features characteristic of Obverse 1 die state a.



1841 Obverse 1 state a repunched 4 and
unfinished area between toe and rim




1841 Obverse 1 state a die lines and
unfinished areas around arm and drapery


The characteristics shown above quickly disappear as the die is polished in later die states. The photo below shows the rim cud which defines state d of Obverse 1.



1841 Obverse 1 state d rim cud

Reverse A

Reverse A is most notable for its LACK of the die markers noted for reverse 1840 A and 1841 B. In addition, vertical shield line 1-2 extends upward to horizontal line 5, shown in the photo below.



Reverse A die markers


Reverse A Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.

OC-2 is the most common 1841 die marriage, and is almost always seen with significant strike weakness on the upper edge of the left wing.



Photo credits:

Obverse 1:   1841 PCGS AU53, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse A:   1841 NGC AU55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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