1853 OC-P2

1853 OC-P2 Proof Original or Restrike

Die Pair	P1 - PA
Date Grid	RE /3-4.5 /VS down
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R7-
1, 3 Vertical	H, SH
Reverse Die States	a

Comments: This is the first and only use of Obverse P1 and the first and only use of Reverse PA.

Obverse P1
The photo below shows the Obverse P1 attribution grid.

1853 Obverse P1 attribution grid

This die is easy to identify both by the date position and by the die polish lines around the date. The polish lines extend up to the left from the denticles below the date and down to the right from the rock above the date. These features are noted by the arrows on the figure.

Obverse P1 Die States

Perfect die. 90% unfinished under the chin.
Slightly smaller unfinished area under the chin due to die polishing.

No later die states have been observed.

Reverse PA
Reverse PA was used to strike all 1853 proofs seen to date. We have not found it used in any other year. It can be identified be a die line on the rim above NI in UNITED, shown in the following photo.

1853 Reverse PA die line on rim

Reverse 1853 PA Die States

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed.

Photo credits:

Obverse P1 and Reverse PA: 1853 Restrike NGC PR66 Cameo, ex. Pittman/ Kaufman, from the Heritage archives.