1842 OC-2

1842 OC-2

Die Pair	2 - A
Date Grid	*See Below/ 5-5.0/ VS up
Obverse Die States	a, b, c, d

Estimated Rarity	R1
1, 0 Vertical	VSH, VSH
Reverse Die States	a

Comments: This is the only use of Obverse 2 and third of four uses of Reverse A in 1842.
Reverse A is transitional, later used to strike die marriage OC-1 in 1843.

Obverse 2
*Obverse 2 was heavily polished between states b and c, removing several of the die markers. Before the polishing the date lines up as JR of C. After the polishing it appears to be JL of C. The pictures below compare the two die states.

1842 Obverse 2 attribution grid - state a

1842 Obverse 2 attribution grid - state c

States a and b of Obverse 2 also exhibit minor repunching on the date, strong die lines above the right elbow, and die lines extending from the denticles right of the date. These are shown in photos below.

1842 Obverse 2 date repunching

1842 Obverse 2 die lines above right elbow

1842 Obverse 2 die lines from denticles

Obverse 2 Die States

Perfect die.
Single die clash in the field under Miss Liberty’s right arm. Repunching on the date and die lines from the denticles are still visible.
Additional die clashing. Clash marks now doubled. The die has been polished, removing evidence of the repunched date and the die lines from the denticles.
Small rim cuds are visible below the date.

All OC-2 examples seen have exhibited a small die rotation of about 5 degrees counterclockwise.

Reverse A
Reverse A displays several noted die lines in the upper left shield recesses. These are pictured in the photo below.

1842 Reverse A die lines in shield recesses

Reverse A Die States

Perfect die.
Very light clash marks in the field under the right wing.

No later reverse die states have been observed. OC-2 is found only with reverse die state a.

Photo credits:

Obverse 2, state a:   1842 NGC MS61 from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Obverse 2, state b:   1842 PCGS MS62 from the Heritage archives.
Reverse A:   1842 PCGS MS62 CAC, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.