1842 OC-5

1842 OC-5

Die Pair	4 - B
Date Grid	L QTR / 5-2.5 / Level
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R5-
1, 2 Vertical	VSL, C
Reverse Die States	a

Comments: This is the only use of Obverse 4 and second of four uses of Reverse B.

Obverse 4
The photo below shows the Obverse 4 attribution grid.

1842 Obverse 4 attribution grid

Obverse 4 also exhibits a small die line that can be helpful in confirming attribution. The line is at the bend of Miss Liberty’s right elbow, in the field but joined to the elbow.

1842 Obverse 4 die line at elbow

Obverse 4 Die States

Perfect die.

No later obverse die states have been observed. However, this is a very scarce die marriage, so we haven’t examined very many examples. Something must have happened to the Obverse 4 die to cause such a quick withdrawal from service. An example with a later die state probably exists.

Reverse B
Reverse B is very different from Reverse A. There are no die lines in the shield recesses. The best markers are the extensions of the vertical shield lines downward into the shield border, visible even on low-grade coins. Additional markers are several upward extensions of the vertical shield lines into the horizontal lines. These are notable on high-grade coins, but not nearly as reliable a marker as the lower extensions.

1842 Reverse B die markers

Reverse B Die States

Perfect die.
A small cud has appeared on the rim below ONE DOL. This cud is pictured and the die state described in more detail in our description of OC=7.

No later reverse die states have been observed. OC-5 has been found only with reverse die state a.

Photo credits:

Obverse 4: 1842 PCGS AU50, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse B: NGC AU55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.