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1842
 
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General Comments
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High-grade business strikes are sometimes prooflike, but more often frosty. Prooflike and/or sharply struck examples can be located with patient searching.
1842 Die Marriages
8 die pairs have been positively identified. 6 obverse dies were paired with 2 reverse dies to strike seven business strike die pairs. One of these is very scarce, another very rare. The other 5 can be easily located. None of these business strike dies were used for proofs.
A single proof die marriage was issued, using a unique obverse die paired with the reverse die used for almost all original proof issues from 1840 through 1854. We estimate a total proof population of around 15.
The following table summarizes the known die marriages for 1842:
Click the links below to view the details of each die marriage.
Die Marriage |
Rarity |
Obverse Die |
Reverse Die |
Estimated Survivors |
| OC-1 | R3 | 1 | A | 425 |
| OC-2 | R1 | 2 | A | 1675 |
| OC-3 | R2 | 3 | A | 1125 |
| OC-4 | R1 | 3 | B | 1250 |
| OC-5 | R5- | 4 | B | 75 |
| OC-6 | R6 | 5 | B | 20 |
| OC-7 | R2 | 6 | B | 930 |
| OC-P1 | R6+ | P1 | 1840 PA | 15 |
1842 Business Strike Emission Sequence
The 1842 emission sequence can be accurately determined since only two reverse dies were used for the 7 die marriages.
We have considerable confidence in the first 4 marriages in the sequence. Reverse A, used for the first 3 die marriages,
was polished several times, each time removing some of the unfinished areas that are present in its initial state.
By observing the reduction in these areas, we were able to accurately determine the order of the first 3 marriages.
Reverse A was then retired and replaced with reverse B, without changing the obverse die, Obverse 3. Obverse 3 exhibits
notable degradation during its use. In its final state, it exhibits light rim cuds below the date. These are seen only
on die marriage OC-4, which places that marriage as the next in the sequence. The sequence following OC-4 is more difficult.
Reverse B showed virtually no degradation during its use. The only change in state that we’ve observed is a small rim cud
that appears as state b. We’ve seen that state on only a single coin, so we would feel more comfortable if we saw another
example to confirm it. We’ve tentatively used it to place die marriage OC-7 at the end of the sequence. We’ve made our best
guess to determine the placement of the other two marriages. Our estimate of the emission sequence is documented in the
following table.
Emission Order |
Die Marriage |
Comments |
| 1 | OC-1 | Unfinished areas of reverse A are reduced by die polishing in each of the first 3 die marriages. |
| 2 | OC-2 | |
| 3 | OC-3 | |
| 4 | OC-4 | Obverse 3 rim cuds indicate that OC-4 followed OC-3. |
| 5 | OC-5 | |
| 6 | OC-6 | |
| 7 | OC-7 | The only pairing of reverse B state b (an observed but unconfirmed die state) indicates that OC-7 is the terminal die state for Reverse B. |
1842 Proof Emission Sequence
With only a single proof die marriage the emission sequence is simple.
Emission Order |
Die Marriage |
Comments |
| 1 | OC-P1 |
1842 Quick Finder Chart
1842 coins are relatively easy to attribute. Only 2 reverse dies were used. They can usually be easily identified
even on low-grade coins. 6 obverse dies were used, but the date positions are different. The best approach to
attribution is to first identify the reverse die, then choose from the obverse dies known to be paired with that
reverse the one which best fits your coin. This approach should allow quick attribution of almost any coin down
to a grade of VG.
Die Marriage |
Obv. Die |
Rev. Die |
Right Base of 1 |
1 Verticle |
2 Verticle |
Grid |
Keys to Identification |
| OC-1 | 1 | A | LE | SH | SH | 4-4.5 | Obverse: Die lines from shield edge below Y. Die lines in field above right arm.
Reverse: 3 parallel die lines slant slightly down in upper left shield recess. |
| OC-2 | 2 | A | JR of C | VSH | VSH | 5-5.0 | Obverse: Far right date, 5-5.0.
Reverse: 3 parallel die lines slant slightly down in upper left shield recess. |
| OC-3 | 3 | A | R QTR | VSH | SH | 5-2.0 | Obverse: Die lines parallel left arm above finger.
Reverse: 3 parallel die lines slant slightly down in upper left shield recess. |
| OC-4 | 3 | B | R QTR | VSH | SH | 5-2.0 | Obverse: Die lines parallel left arm above finger.
Reverse: 2-2 and 2-3 across first shield border at bottom. |
| OC-5 | 4 | B | L QTR | VSL | C | 5-2.5 | Obverse: Heavy die line above the bend of the right elbow.
Reverse: 2-2 and 2-3 across first shield border at bottom. |
| OC-6 | 5 | B | B | C | SL | 5-5.5 | Obverse: Far right date, 5.4.5.
Reverse: 2-2 and 2-3 across first shield border at bottom. |
| OC-7 | 6 | B | B | SL | SL | 5-4.0 | Obverse: 2 in rock. Die lines above leg left of pole. Die chip in denticles above star 8. Obverse cuds in late states.
Reverse: 2-2 and 2-3 across first shield border at bottom. |
| OC-P1 | P1 | 1840 PA | LE | C | VSL | 5-5.5 | Obverse: Repunched 1. 1 is centered. Date slants slightly down.
Reverse: Defects on A3. |