1840 Obverse 1 attribution grid

In early states obverse 1 is unfinished along the denticles from just right of the date to the toe area. Light die lines extend from the denticles in this unfinished area. The die lines are almost horizontal, slanting just slightly up to the left. In later states the die is polished and these die lines disappear.

1. Perfect die. The die lines and unfinished area right of the date are clearly visible.
2. Very light clash marks are visible in Miss Liberty’s lap.
3. Polished dies. The unfinished area right of the date and the die lines are gone.

Reverse A is best identified by the extensions of the vertical shield lines. 1-1 extends upward into the horizontal shield lines to horizontal line 7. 1-2 extends to 3, and 1-3 extends to 5. In addition 3-3 extends across the inside shield border at the bottom, and is the only vertical line to extend across the border.

1840 Reverse A die markers

1. Perfect die. In this early state faint die lines are visible slanting down to the left from the denticles above IC. These will be visible only on high-grade coins, strong XF or better.
2. Very light clash marks in shield recesses 2 and 3.
3. Polished die. The light die lines above IC are no longer visible.