1841 OC-3

1841 OC-3

Die Pair	2 - 1840 A
Date Grid	LE / 4-4.5 / Level
Obverse Die States	a, b, c

Estimated Rarity	R2
1, 1 Vertical	VSH, VSH
Reverse Die States	c

Comments: This is the first use of Obverse 2 and the second and final use of Reverse 1840 A in 1841.
Reverse 1840 A is transitional, first used for 1840 die marriage OC-1.

Obverse 1
The photo below shows the Obverse 2 attribution grid.

1841 Obverse 2 attribution grid

Obverse 2 exhibits heavy die lines slanting down to the right above the leg, just left of the pole. These are pictured in the following photo.

1841 Obverse 2 die lines

Obverse 1 Die States

Perfect die. This early die state exhibits die lines extending into the field from the denticles adjacent to stars 4 and 5.
Clashed die. A sharp clash mark is visible in the field under Miss Liberty's right arm. The die lines adjacent to stars 4 and 5 are still visible.
Polished die. The die lines adjacent to stars 4 and 5 are gone and the clash mark is barely visible.

No later obverse die states have been observed.

Reverse 1840 A

Reverse 1840 A features minor die markers that will be visible on mid- to high-grade examples with reasonable magnification. The following photo shows the markers, extensions of the vertical lines both above and below.

Reverse 1840 A die markers

Reverse 1840 A Die States

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. This and the following die state aren't seen on either of the 1841 die marriages since the die clashed while being used in 1840.
Very light clash marks in shield recesses 2 and 3.
Polished die. The light die lines above IC are no longer visible.

OC-3 is found only with reverse die state c. The die clashing occurred during the 1840 usage.

Photo credits:

Obverse 2: 1841 NGC AU55: from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1840 A: 1841 NGC AU55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.