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Comments: This is the first or second use of Obverse P1 and the first of two uses of Reverse 1840 PA in 1840. Obverse P1 was reported by Breen in a second die marriage, but we haven’t confirmed this use. Reverse 1840 PA was later used to strike almost all original proof issues from 1841 through 1854. |
Obverse P1 The photo below shows the Obverse P1 attribution grid. Obverse P1 can be uniquely identified by its date position, high in the field and slanting very slightly down.   1840 Obverse P1 attribution grid
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Reverse PA Reverse 1840 PA is the same die used for almost all original proof issues from 1840 through 1854. The die exhibits unique features on A3. The following photo shows these die markers, possibly created from die rust or just die crumbling due to imperfect die metal. These allow easy identification of the proof die, even on mishandled or lightly circulated examples.  Reverse PA die markers
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| Photo credits:
Obverse P1: 1840 NGC PR61, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection. Reverse 1840 PA: 1846 PCGS PR58, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection. |