1860-O OC-3

Die Pair 2 - A
Date Grid B / 4-4.5 / VS down
Obverse Die States b
Estimated Rarity R3-
1, 0 Vertical SH, VSH
Reverse Die States a



Comments:
   This is the second of five uses of Obverse 2 and the only use of Reverse A.


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-3 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 in 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-3 is found only with obverse die state b.


Reverse A

The photo below shows the mintmark position for Reverse A.



Reverse 1860-O A mintmark


The mintmark is the farthest right of any for the year, and is much closer to the stem than to the feather tip. Another marker is an extension of vertical die line 1-2 through 4 horizontal lines. This is indicated by the arrow in the photo below. The box points out several lumps created by rust pits in the die. These will also be visible on mid- to high-grade examples.



1860-O Reverse A rust pits and
vertical shield line extension


The Reverse A die is very rusty, with lumps created by die rust pits notable throughout. The lumps in the denticles and around ES in STATES make very good die markers. These are shown in the next photo.



1860-O Reverse A Rust Pits Around ES


Reverse A Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.



Photo credits:

Obverse 2:   1860-O NGC MS60, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse A:   1860-O PCGS MS62, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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