1869 OC-2
6 in Denticles, Repunched 1, MPD-001
Top-30 Variety (with rotated dies)

Die Pair P3 - A
Date Grid JR of C / 4-3.5 / VS down
Obverse Die States a, b
Estimated Rarity R2
1, 9 Vertical SH, VSL
Reverse Die States b, c, d



Comments:
   This is the second use of Obverse P3. It was previously used to strike the OC-P4 die marriage.
It is the second of three uses of Reverse A.


Obverse P3

Note that this obverse is identified as a proof die since it was first used to strike the OC-P4 die marriage. The following photo shows the Obverse P3 attribution grid.



1869 Obverse P3 attribution grid


Obverse P3 can also be identified by the misplaced 6 in the denticles under the right side of the prominent 6. This variety is identified as MPD-001. This obverse also features repunching on the 1, visible under the base, and two small lumps in the field between the base of the 1 and the denticles. All these features are visible in the photo. All of the identifiers become very weak in die state b, almost completely removed by die polishing.


Obverse P3 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. Polished die. Evidence of the MPD has been almost completely removed.
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
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A fine die crack connects the upper part of the TE in UNITED.
  3. 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..
  4. Additional die cracks - at the base of ONE DOL, across the top of UNITED.
  5. The die cracks are heavier and now completely surround the reverse.
OC-2 is found with reverse die states b, c, and d. Late states of this die marriage can be found with a 30 degree counterclockwise die rotation. Such examples are rare. We estimate them to be R5+. We've listed this variety with the rotation as one of our Top-30.

This die marriage has often been seen mis-attributed as a proof by the grading services.



Photo credits:

Obverse 2:   1869 PCGS PR61 (mis-attributed as a proof by PCGS), from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse A:   1869 PCGS PR61 (mis-attributed as a proof by PCGS), from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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