1859 OC-3

Die Pair 2 - C
Date Grid B / 4-5.0 / Level
Obverse Die States a
Estimated Rarity R3
1, 9 Vertical H, H
Reverse Die States a, b



Comments:    This is the only use of Obverse 2 and the only use of Reverse C.


Obverse 2

The photo below shows the Obverse 2 attribution grid.



1859 Obverse 2 attribution grid

Obverse 2 exhibits no notable die markers, but the date position should be sufficient to confirm the attribution.


Obverse 2 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.


Reverse C

Reverse C displays very few die markers. As with the other 1859 reverses one minor marker allows definitive attribution. The photo shows the extension of horizontal shield line #1. It’s lightly doubled outside the left-side shield border, the only 1859 reverse die with this doubling notable.



1859 Reverse C shield line extension


Reverse C Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A light die crack crosses the top of MER.
OC-3 dies rotated mid-way in the issue. Examples can be found with a clockwise die rotations of up to 15 degrees. The un-rotated state is slightly more available.



Photo credits:

Obverse 2 and Reverse C:   1859 NGC AU58, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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