1869 OC-1

1869 OC-1 Doubled Die Obverse and Reverse - Top-30 Variety

Die Pair	1 - A
Date Grid	LE / 4-4.0 / Level
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R4
1, 9 Vertical	C, VSL
Reverse Die States	a, b

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

Obverse 1
The photo below shows the Obverse 1 attribution grid. Also note the die doubling, most visible on the shield lines, and the repunching on the 1.

1869 Obverse 1 attribution grid,
doubled die, and repunched 1

There are also several small lumps on the gown that are visible on mid-grade coins. These are shown below.

1869 Obverse 1 lumps in gown

Obverse 1 Die States

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed.

Reverse A
Reverse A displays very notable die doubling, most visible on the motto. This is similar to the doubling on several other reverses, most notably the proof-only reverse, PA. Unfortunately there are no other easily visible die markers. The unfinished area between the lower and middle leaves is much larger on Reverse A.

1869 Reverse A die doubling

Reverse A Die States

Perfect die.
A fine die crack connects the upper part of the TE in UNITED.
The die cracks have progressed. A crack crosses the top of MERIC. Another connects the top of ST, running down through the middle of A1 and back to the top of T3..
Additional die cracks - at the base of ONE DOL, across the top of UNITED.
The die cracks are heavier and now completely surround the reverse.

OC-1 is found with reverse die states a and b.

We’ve seen several examples of this die marriage mis-attributed as proofs by the grading services. We’ve made this variety, which exhibits die doubling on both the obverse and reverse, one of our Top-30 varieties.

Photo credits:

Obverse 1 and Reverse A: 1869 PCGS PR61 (mis-attributed as a proof by PCGS), from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Obverse 1 die pits: 1869 NGC PR61 (mis-attributed as a proof by NGC), from the Heritage archives.