1860-O OC-10

Die Pair 2 - E
Date Grid B / 4-4.5 / VS down
Obverse Die States b
Estimated Rarity R6-
1, 0 Vertical SH, VSH
Reverse Die States a, (b?)



Comments:
   This is the fifth and final use of Obverse 2 and the second and final use of Reverse E.
This is the rarest 1860-O die marriage. We've confirmed only three examples.


Obverse 2

The photo below shows the Obverse 2 attribution grid.



1860-O Obverse 2 attribution grid


Obverse 2 exhibits minor repunching on the date, visible above the 8 and 0 and inside the upper loops of the 8 and 6. Die polish lines extend into the field from the rock above 60, almost horizontal, slanting slightly down to the left. All these markers were removed by die polishing prior to the use of Obverse 2 to strike OC-10 examples. The marker that remains after die polishing and is visible on all usages of Obverse 2 is a circular mark on Miss Liberty’s gown below the left breast. This is indicated by the arrow in the following photo. This die line is shallow, but visible on most coins in AU or better. It may be difficult to see if the coin is heavily bag-marked or has excessive contact marks. It’s often difficult to see in photos. We've enhanced the die line on the photo below to aid in attribution.



1860-O Obverse 2 circular die line


For simplicity, the date position should be considered as the best feature to attribute this obverse. It's unique enough to separate it from the other 1860-O obverse dies.

Obverse 2 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. The die has been polished. All traces of the repunched date and the die lines above 60 have been removed.
No later die states have been observed. OC-10 is found only with obverse die state b.


Reverse E

Reverse E displays no notable die markers except for its mintmark position.



1860-O Reverse E mintmark


Reverse E Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A very fine die crack extends from the rim to the tip of the center leaf, then into the right side of the left wing.
No later die states have been observed. OC-10 has been found only with reverse die state a. It may exist with die state b, but we haven't yet confirmed an example. The die crack that defines state b may not be visible on coins grading less than XF.



Photo credits:

Obverse 2:   1860-O NGC MS60, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse E:   1860-O PCGS AU53, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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