1852 OC-P1
Original Proof

Die Pair P1 - 1840 PA
Date Grid LE / 4-1.0 / VS down
Obverse Die States a
Estimated Rarity R8
1, 2 Vertical VSH, VSL
Reverse Die States a



Comments:
  Obverse P1 was used to strike all 1852 die marriages. This is an early use, but we’ve had no opportunity to directly compare examples of OC-1, OC-2, and OC-P1, so we can’t conclusively identify the emission sequence of those three die marriages. Reverse 1840 A was first used to strike original proofs in 1840, subsequently to strike original proofs in every year through 1854, with the possible exceptions of 1851 and 1853. This is a rare die marriage. Only two examples have been confirmed.


Obverse P1

The photo below shows the Obverse P1 attribution grid. This obverse die was used for all 1852 die marriages, both business strikes and proofs.



1852 Obverse P1 attribution grid


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


Reverse 1840 PA

The reverse die used for the 1852 original proof issue is the same die used for all proof strikes in the 1840's. This die exhibits unique features within the upper triangle of A3. The following photo shows these die markers, possibly created by die rust of 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:   1852 Business Strike PCGS AU details, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1840 PA:   1846 PCGS PR58, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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