1862 OC-P2
Original Proof
Die Pair | P1 - PB |
Date Grid | C / 4-2.5 / VS up |
Obverse Die States | a |
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Estimated Rarity | R3+ |
1, 2 Vertical | VSL, VSH |
Reverse Die States | a, b, c |
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Comments:
   This is the second and final use of Obverse P1 and the only use of Reverse PB.
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Obverse P1
The following photo shows the Obverse P1 attribution grid. Obverse P1 exhibits no significant die markers,
but the date position should be adequate for definitive attribution. Note that the date slants is VS up,
whereas the Obverse 1 date slant is S down.
1862 Obverse P1 attribution grid
Obverse P1 Die States
- Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.
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Reverse PB
The only notable die markers are extensions of vertical shield lines 1-1 and 1-3, shown in the next photo.
Also, note that the shield recesses are completely unfinished at the lower ends of the middle and left-side
recesses, whereas those on Reverse PA are slightly unfinished.
1862 Reverse PB shield line 1-1 and 1-3 extensions
Reverse PB Die States
- Perfect die.
- The tip of the middle leaf is broken.
- The tip of the upper leaf is also broken.
The next photo shows the broken leaf. Note that the tip of the upper leaf is also slightly broken.
This is Reverse PB die state c. OC-P2 proofs are found with all three die states.
1862 Reverse PB broken leaves
The broken leaves are seen on most but not all of the OC-P2 examples. They are likely the result of
foreign matter. The substance that lodged in the die was apparently substantial, since more than 50%
of the 1862 proofs display the broken leaf. We have seen one proof, in the John Frost collection,
that displays a slight variation of the broken leaf, with the lower leaf broken but less so, and
the upper leaf unbroken. This is another indicator that whatever caused this die state wasn’t a
break or chip in the die, but a foreign substance that lodged there and migrated during subsequent
strikings.
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Photo credits:
Obverse P1:   1862 PCGS PR61, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse PB:   1862 PCGS PR58, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse PB broken leaf:   1862 NGC PR67, from the Heritage archives.
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