1842 OC-4

1842 OC-4

Die Pair	3 - B
Date Grid	JL of RE / 5-2.0 / VS up
Obverse Die States	b, c, d

Estimated Rarity	R1
1, 2 Vertical	VSH, VSH
Reverse Die States	a

Comments: This is the second and final use of Obverse 3 and first of four uses of Reverse B.

Obverse 3
The photo below shows the Obverse 3 attribution grid. Obverse 3 exhibits die lines that parallel the left arm above the thumb, shown in the second photo. These die lines make attribution relatively easy for any examples VF or better.

1842 Obverse 3 attribution grid

1842 Obverse 3 die lines above the left thumb

Obverse 3 Die States

Perfect die.
Doubled clashing visible under Miss Liberty’s right arm.
Light obverse rim cuds extend from below the left rock tip to just left of the 1. The die has been polished. The clash marks are less notable.
The rim cuds now extend to below the 8.

No later obverse die states have been observed. OC-4 is found with obverse die states b, c, and d.

Reverse B
Reverse B is very different from Reverse A. There are no die lines in the shield recesses. The best markers are the extensions of the vertical shield lines downward into the shield border, visible even on low-grade coins. Additional markers are several upward extensions of the vertical shield lines into the horizontal lines. These are notable on high-grade coins, but not nearly as reliable a marker as the lower extensions.

1842 Reverse B die markers

Reverse B Die States

Perfect die.
A small cud has appeared on the rim below ONE DOL. This cud is pictured and the die state described in more detail in our description of OC-7.

No later reverse die states have been observed. OC-4 has been found only with reverse die state a.

Photo credits:

Obverse 3: 1842 PCGS MS62 CAC, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse B: NGC AU55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.