1859-O OC-5

1859-O OC-5

Die Pair	1 - D
Date Grid	L QTR / 4-2.5 / Level
Obverse Die States	a, b

Estimated Rarity	R4
1, 9 Vertical	SH, SH
Reverse Die States	a, b, c

Comments: This is the first of three uses of Obverse 1 and the only use of Reverse D.

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 (see photo below).
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 (see photo below).

1859-O Obverse 1 die state b clash marks

1859-O Obverse 1 die state d clash marks
No later states have been observed. OC-5 is found only with Obverse die states a and b.

I've seen only a single photo of obverse die state c. Unfortunately the resolution wasn't good enough to use it for this book. I believe that the die clashed a second time and was quickly removed from service and polished. An example with this die state would be extremely rare.

Reverse D
The reverse D mintmark position is virtually identical to reverse A, but numerous lumps created by die rust pits are visible around the leaves and ONE. These make it relatively easy to identify on mid- to high-grade coins. The arrows on the photo below indicate a few of the more notable features. The mintmark has virtually no rotation, different from Reverse A, which is rotated slightly clockwise. Three very notable lumps form a line just below the middle leaf. Other roughness is seen off the tip of the lower leaf. A die line connects the left-most talon with the lower berry. All these features are noted by the arrows in the photo below.

1859-O Reverse D mintmark and die markers

Reverse D Die States

Perfect die.
Light clashing is visible in shield recesses 2 and 3.
A heavy die crack from the rim above the right edge of D1, extending through the middle of S1 to the base of T1, then across the base of TATE.

The state c die crack is shown in the photo below. No later die states have been observed.

1859-O Reverse D state c die crack

Photo credits:

Obverse 1:   1859-O NGC MS65, tied for finest known, ex. Gene Gardner, from the Heritage archives.
Obverse 1 die state b:   1859-O PCGS AU53, from the Stacks-Bowers archives.
Obverse 1 die state d:   1859-O ICG MS63, from the Stacks-Bowers archives.
Reverse D:   1859-O NGC MS58, from the Heritage archives.
Reverse D die crack:   1859-O NGC MS55, from the Stacks-Bowers archives, lot #2655.