1846 OC-2
Repunched 1

Die Pair 1 - B
Date Grid L QTR / 4-5.5 / Level
Obverse Die States e, f, g, h
Estimated Rarity R2
1, 6 Vertical SH, SH
Reverse Die States a, b, c



Comments:    This is the second and final use of Obverse 1 and the only use of Reverse B in 1846.
Reverse B is transitional. It was used again in 1847 to create the OC-1 die marriage


Obverse 1

The following photo shows the Obverse 1 attribution grid. In early states the obverse die exhibits polish lines slanting up to the left from the denticles below the date, indicated by the lower arrows. The die was polished midway in the OC-1 mintage, removing these lines. A die line is visible in shield recess #4, also indicated by an arrow.



1846 Obverse 1 attribution grid


The 1 is repunched at its top. The original punch shows above the final 1, seen in the next expanded photo. The repunching weakens in later die states.



1846 Obverse 1 repunched 1


Obverse 1 exhibits two very prominent lumps on Miss Liberty’s left breast. These lumps are shown in the following photo.



1846 Obverse 1 die lumps on chest


The center lump, just above the V in the gown neckline, is visible on coins as low as VG, and is thus the best marker to quickly confirm Obverse 1.

Obverse 1 Die States
  1. Perfect die. Notable die lines extend from the denticles into the field under the date, slanting up to the left.
  2. A single very light clash mark is visible in the field under the right arm.
  3. A faint die crack joins the outer points of stars 9-11.
  4. An additional die crack joins the inner points of stars 10-12. Another joins the right base of the rock to the rim, slanting up to the right.
  5. Die polishing has virtually removed the clash mark and the die lines under the date, as well as the evidence of the die cracks.
  6. A new very light clash mark is visible in the field under the right arm.
  7. Die polishing has virtually removed the clash mark.
  8. A die crack now crosses the bottom of the date, extending to the denticles on the right and into the field on the left.
No later die states have been observed. The OC-1 die marriage can be found with obverse die states a through e, the OC-2 marriage with states e through h.


Reverse B

1846 Reverse B features one minor die marker. Vertical shield line 1-1 extends through the horizontal shield lines to horizontal shield line 7. This may be visible only on mid- to high-grade examples, VF or better. Even then it may require relatively high magnification to see it. Photos often fail to show this line unless the lighting is just right.



1846 Reverse B shield line 1-1 extension


Early in its life Reverse B cracked at the base of ONE. At this point this crack, shown in the next photo, becomes the best marker to identify this die.



1846 Reverse B die crack


Reverse B die states
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A light die crack crosses the base of ONE D. A very faint crack joins the top of UNI.
  3. The crack joining the top of UNI now crosses UNITED STATES OF A, extending to the denticles above M.
  4. The die cracks have progressed to completely surround the reverse, and are much more notable than in state c (1847 only).
  5. A cud has formed on the rim near the tip of the upper arrow (1847 only).
Most examples of OC-2 show minor die rotation of 5-15 degrees counter-clockwise.

1846 Reverse B is transtional to 1847 (die marriage OC-1), first used in state c, later with more advanced die cracks.



Photo credits:

Obverse 1:   1846 NGC AU58, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse B:   1846 PCGS XF45, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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