1857 OC-1

1857 OC-1

Die Pair	P1 - A
Date Grid	JR of LE / 4-3.5 / Level
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R5+
1, 7 Vertical	C, VSL
Reverse Die States	a, b, c

Comments: This is the second and final use of Obverse P1.
Obverse P1 was previously used to strike 1857 proofs.
This is the only use of Reverse A.

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

1857 Obverse P1 attribution grid
The date position is similar to obverse 1. The differences are the lack of die lines under the toe and the presence of several lumps on the upper gown. The lumps are noted on the photo below.

1857 Obverse P1 lumps in gown

Obverse P1 Die States

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed. This die marriage is usually seen with a very weak strike on the head and stars.

Reverse A
1857 Reverse A features heavy diagonal die lines in the lower shield recesses, shown in the photo below, that allow easy identification. Also, note that the surfaces between the leaves are completely finished on this die marriage, whereas they’re mostly unfinished on OC-2.

Reverse A die lines in shield

Reverse A Die States

Perfect die.
A very light die crack crosses the top of UNITED.
Die polished or slightly filled. The E and D in ONE DOL are weak.

Most of the examples of OC-1 which we've observed are reverse state a. The second and third die states seem scarce or rare.

Photo credits:

Obverse P1 and Reverse A: 1857 PCGS AU55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.