1843 OC-P1
Original Proof

Die Pair P1 – 1840 PA
Date Grid R QTR / 4-3.5 / Level
Obverse Die States a
Estimated Rarity R6+
1, 3 Vertical VSH, C
Reverse Die States a



Comments:
   This is the only use of Obverse P1 and the only use of Reverse 1840 PA in 1843. Reverse 1840 PA was used to strike almost all original proof issues from 1840 through 1854.


Obverse P1

The photo below shows the Obverse P1 attribution grid.



1843 Obverse P1 Attribution Grid


Obverse P1 exhibits no notable markers, but the date position, which is much farther left than Obverse 1, plus its pairing exclusively with Reverse 1840 PA, make attribution very easy.


Obverse P1 Die States
  1. Perfect Die.
No later die states have been observed.


Reverse 1840 PA

The reverse die used for the only 1843 proof die marriage is the same die used for almost all original proof issues from 1840 through 1854. This die exhibits unique features on A3. The following photo shows these die markers, possibly created from die rust or just die crumbling due to imperfect die metal. These allow easy identification of the proof die, even on mishandled or lightly circulated examples.



Reverse 1840 PA Defects in A3


Reverse 1840 PA Die States
  1. Perfect Die.
No later die states have been observed.




Photo credits:

Obverse P1:   1843 PCGS PR53, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1840 PA:   1846 PCGS AU58, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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