1868 OC-3
6 in Denticles
Business Strike MPD-001, FS-301 - Top-30 Variety

Die Pair 2 - B
Date Grid JR of LE / 5-1.0 / S down
Obverse Die States a
Estimated Rarity R4-
1, 8 Vertical H, C
Reverse Die States a



Comments:
   This is the second and final use of Obverse 2 and the first of two uses of Reverse B.


Obverse 2

The photo below shows the Obverse 2 attribution grid.



1868 Obverse 2 attribution grid
Repunched 1 and misplaced 6

Obverse 2 can be easily identified by the misplaced 6 in the denticles, noted on the photo. This variety is identified as MPD-001, and is FS-301 in the Cherry Pickers Guide (reference 13). Obverse 2 also exhibits a slightly repunched 1. We’ve included this variety in our Top-30 list. OC-2 shares this obverse die, so either die marriage can be considered as this Top-30 variety.


Obverse 2 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.


Reverse B

Reverse B can be identified by a small lump on the scroll left of WE, shown in the following photo. This reverse die is also very slightly doubled, most notable on the motto. Using this doubling for attribution can be misleading, since most 1868 reverse dies display similar doubling.



1868 Reverse B lump on scroll


Reverse B Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A fine die crack joins the top of TE in STATES. Another crosses the top of MER.
  3. A strong die crack extends from the left wing into the lower part of the scroll. The crack joining TE now extends across the top of S into the field. The crack across the top of MER extends across IC.
  4. The crack above TES extends to the rim above OF. The crack across MERIC extends to the top of A3.
OC-3 is found only with reverse die state a.



Photo credits:

Obverse 2:   1868 PCGS Secure MS62, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse B:   1868 PCGS PR55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


Copyright © 2015-2021, by Dick Osburn and Brian Cushing, All rights reserved.