1841 OC-4

Die Pair 2 - B
Date Grid LE / 4-4.5 / Level
Obverse Die States b, c
Estimated Rarity R1
1, 1 Vertical VSH, VSH
Reverse Die States a, b



Comments:
   This is the second and final use of Obverse 2 and only use of Reverse B.


Obverse 2

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 2 Die States
  1. Perfect die. This early die state exhibits die lines extending into the field from the denticles adjacent to stars 4 and 5.
  2. 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.
  3. 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. This die marriage is usually seen with a small counterclockwise die rotation of approximately 5 degrees.


Reverse B

1841 Reverse B features several die markers that should allow attribution of examples grading VF or better. The most notable is a die line in shield recesses 4 and 5. This and several other less notable markers are shown in the following photo.



Reverse B die markers


Reverse B Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. Polished die. Die lines are less notable, although the heavy line which crosses from recess 4 to recess 5 is still clearly visible.
OC-4 is found with both reverse die states.



Photo credits:

Obverse 2:   NGC AU55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference.
Reverse B:   1841 NGC AU58, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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