1859-O OC-1
Die Pair | 1 - A |
Date Grid | L QTR / 4-2.5 / Level |
Obverse Die States | a, b, (c?) |
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Estimated Rarity | R1 |
1, 9 Vertical | SH, SH |
Reverse Die States | a, b, c, d, e, f |
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Comments:
   This is the second of three uses of Obverse 1 and the only use of Reverse A.
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Obverse 1
The photo below shows the Obverse 1 attribution grid. Obverse 1 exhibits no notable markers,
but with only two obverse dies known the date position is sufficient for attribution.
1859-O Obverse 1 attribution grid
Obverse 1 Die States
- Perfect die.
- Very lightly clashed in Miss Liberty's lap. The clash marks are sharp.
- Additional clashing in Miss Liberty's lap. At least two clash marks are visible. The clash marks are sharp.
- Die polished. The clashing is less evident, but still very notable. The clash marks aren't as well-defined as in the earlier states.
No later die states have been observed. We only seen photos of obverse die state c.
We believe that the die clashed a second time and was immediately removed from service and
polished. An example with this die state would be extremely rare.
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Reverse A
The photo below shows the mintmark position for Reverse A.
1859-O Reverse A mintmark
Reverse A exhibits no notable markers. The mintmark position is similar to Reverse D. The mintmark
has a slight clockwise rotation, different from Reverse D, which is rotated slightly counter-clockwise.
Reverse A Die States
- Perfect die.
- Lightly clashed in the shield recesses. No die cracks.
- A faint die crack from the top of T1 through the middle of ED to the base of S1. Another joins the top of TE.
A third joins the base of OF.
- The die cracks have advanced. The crack through TED is heavier. A faint die crack has formed across the top of
TES into the field between S O. Another joins the base of OF, then extends from the base of F across the middle
of A2 to the top left corner of M, across the top of ME.
- A new die crack joins the base of NIT. The other cracks have advanced slightly.
- There is now a tiny internal cud that looks like a metal blob on the top of the die crack, half way between F and A.
No later die states have been observed, although a later state probably exists based on the heavy deterioration of this die
during its lifetime.
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Photo credits:
Obverse 1:   1859-O NGC MS65, tied for finest known, ex. Gene Gardner, from the Heritage archives.
Reverse A:   1859-O ANACS MS60 cleaned, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
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