1865 OC-2

Die Pair 2 - 1864 A
Date Grid B / 4-3.5 / Level
Obverse Die States a, b
Estimated Rarity R2
1, 5 Vertical VSH, VSH
Reverse Die States c, d



Comments:    This is the only use of Obverse 2 and the first of 3 uses of Reverse 1864 A in 1865.
Reverse 1864 A was first used in 1864 to strike die marriage OC-1.


Obverse 2

The following photo shows the Obverse 2 attribution grid.



1865 Obverse 2 attribution grid


In addition to the date position Obverse 2 can be identified by a tiny die chip in the unfinished area under Miss Liberty’s chin. The die is also very slightly doubled, visible on the hem of Miss Liberty’s skirt.



1865 Obverse 2 die chip under chin


Obverse 2 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. Very slight die clashing visible above Miss Liberty's leg.
No later die states have been observed.


Reverse 1864 A

Reverse 1864 A displays faint extensions of the first 3 vertical shield lines, shown in the following photo, that allow definitive attribution for mid- to high-grade examples.



Reverse 1864 A shield line extensions


All 1865 uses of Reverse 1864 A display a die crack across the top of many of the letters. The crack joining ER is notably irregular and can be used as an additional marker. This is shown in the photo below.



Reverse 1864 A die crack joining ERI


Reverse 1864 A Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A faint die crack across the top of ERI.
  3. Very faint die clashing visible in the second shield recess.
  4. Faint die cracks surround the reverse.
No later die states have been observed. Since the state b die cracks occurred during the die's 1864 usage OC-2 is found only with states c and d.



Photo credits:

Obverse 2:   1865 PCGS XF45, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1864 A shield line extensions:   1864 PCGS AU details, cleaned, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1864 A die crack:   1864 PCGS XF45, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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