1857 OC-2

1857 OC-2

Die Pair	1 - B
Date Grid	LE / 4-2.5 / Level
Obverse Die States	a, b

Estimated Rarity	R3
1, 7 Vertical	C, L
Reverse Die States	a, b

Comments: This is the only use of Obverse 1 and the only use of Reverse A.

Obverse 1
The photo below shows the Obverse 1 attribution grid.

1857 Obverse 1 attribution grid
The date position is similar to obverse P1. Differences are the presence of some light die lines in a slightly unfinished area under Miss Liberty’s toe, shown in the next photo, and the lack of the lumps in the gown that are characteristic of Obverse P1.

1857 Obverse 1 die lines under the toe

Obverse 1 Die States

Perfect die.
Die polishing has removed most of the unfinished areas at either end of the rock base.

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

Reverse B
1857 Reverse B exhibits light diagonal die lines in and near the denticles above UNI. An additional line is seen above OF A. These are shown in the following photos. The surfaces between the leaves are mostly unfinished on this die marriage, whereas they’re completely finished on OC-1.

1857 Reverse B die lines above UNI

Reverse B die lines above OF_A

Reverse B Die States

Perfect die.
The die has been polished. The die line above OF_A is gone. Die rust is notable around the arrow heads, between the leaves and left wing, and around UNITED.

Examples of OC-2 seem to be about equally divided between reverse die states a and b.

Photo credits:

Obverse 1 and Reverse B: 1857 PCGS MS details, cleaned, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.