1860 OC-6

1860 OC-6

Die Pair	P1 - PA
Date Grid	LE / 4-4.5 / Level
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R4-
1, 0 Vertical	VSH, VSH
Reverse Die States	a

Comments: This is the second of two uses of Obverse P1 and the second of two uses of Reverse PA.
Both dies were first used to strike 1860 proofs.

Obverse P1
The photo below shows Obverse P1 attribution grid. Obverse P1 exhibits no significant die markers, but the date position should be adequate for definitive attribution.

1860 Obverse P1 attribution grid

Obverse P1 Die States

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed.

Reverse PA
Reverse PA exhibits light die lines in the upper shield recesses, shown in the following photo. These lines are light, and may be hard to see, particularly on the OC-6 business strikes. The die was polished after the proofs were struck, significantly diminishing the definition of the die lines. The die line at the top of shield recess #6 is the most visible after the polishing.

1860 Reverse PA die lines in shield

Reverse PA Die States

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed. Most examples seen have exhibited a counterclockwise die rotation of approximately 10 degrees.

We’ve found no conclusive method for separating proofs from business strikes. It’s a judgement call based on surfaces and strike characteristics.

Photo credits:

Obverse P1: 1860 PCGS PR55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse PA: 1860 PCGS PR62 CAC OGH, from the Heritage archives.