1851 OC-P4
Proof Restrike
Low Date

Die Pair P3 – 1865 PA
Date Grid C / 4-1.5 / Level
Obverse Die States a
Estimated Rarity R6+
1, 1 Vertical VSH, VSH
Reverse Die States a



Comments:
   This is the only use of Obverse P3 and the only use of Reverse 1865 PA in 1851.
Reverse 1865 PA was first used to strike almost all original 1865 proofs, and subsequently to strike proof restrikes for 1851 and 1852.


Obverse P3

The photo below shows the Obverse P3 attribution grid.



1851 Obverse P3 attribution grid

Obverse P3 is one of two obverses, P2 and P3, normally referred to as the “low date”. The date positions of the two dies are almost identical. The difference between the two dies is the extent of the unfinished area under Miss Liberty’s chin. On Obverse P2 this area is more than 75% finished. On Obverse P3 it’s almost completely unfinished. The following two photos show the comparison.



1851 Obverse P2
75% finished under chin




1851 Obverse P3 almost completely
unfinished under chin


Obverse P3 also exhibits several light marks on the digits 51, some rust spots on the lower loop of the 5 and a curved mark about half way up the shaft of the 1. These are noted by the arrows on the photo below.



1851 Obverse P3 die marks on date digits


Additional die markers for this die are seen beneath star 1 on and near the rim. These are noted by the arrows in the photo below.



1851 Obverse P3 die marks under star 1


Obverse P3 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.


Reverse 1865 PA

Reverse 1865 PA can be identified by minor die doubling, visible as a widening of the top of the letters UNI. This is shown in the following photo.



Reverse 1865 PA die doubling


Reverse 1865 PA Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.





Photo credits:

Obverse P2:   1851 PCGS PR65 cameo, ex. Phil Kaufman, from the Heritage archives.
Obverse P3:   1851 J-132 NGC proof plated, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1865 PA:   1865 PCGS PR55 CAC, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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