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Comments: This is the second and final use of Obverse P1 and the only use of Reverse 1856 PA in 1861. Reverse 1856 PA was used for all 1856 proofs, and for some proofs in 1857, 1858, 1859, and 1861, as well as for some restrikes. |
Obverse P1 The following photo shows the Obverse P1 attribution grid.   1861 Obverse P1 attribution grid The most notable Obverse P1 marker is doubling on the right side of the horizontal shield lines show in the photo below. It looks like die doubling, but it involves only the right side, so we’re not sure of the cause. Whatever the cause the doubling serves as a very notable marker to identify this die.  1861 Obverse P1 doubling on shield lines
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Reverse 1856 PA exhibits only a few minor markers – lumps on S1 and L. Since most proofs seen are relatively high-grade, they are visible on most examples. The photos below show these features.  1856 Reverse PA lump on S1  1856 Reverse PA lumps on L
Examples of OC-P2 usually show slight strike weakness on the upper edge of the eagle’s left wing, whereas OC-P1 is usually sharply struck. This difference isn’t definitive, since we’ve seen exceptions both ways. |
| Photo credits:
Obverse P1: 1861 PCGS PR64 Cameo, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection. Reverse PB: 1861 PCGS PR60, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection. |