1868 OC-4

1868 OC-4

Die Pair	3 - B
Date Grid	L QTR / 4-5.5 / VS down
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R3+
1, 8 Vertical	SH, VSH
Reverse Die States	a, b, c, d

Comments: This is the first of two uses of Obverse 3 and the second and final use of Reverse B.

Obverse 3
The following photo shows the Obverse 3 attribution grid. This die also displays numerous light lines in the denticles below the 6, indicated by the arrows in the photo. At first glance they may appear as MPD’s, but closer examination will reveal that they are just somewhat random die lines.

1868 Obverse 3 attribution grid
and die lines in denticles

Obverse 3 Die States

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed.

Reverse B
Reverse B can be identified by a small lump on the scroll left of WE, shown in the following photo. This reverse die is also very slightly doubled, most notable on the motto. Using this doubling for attribution can be misleading, since most 1868 reverse dies display similar doubling.

1868 Reverse B lump on scroll

Reverse B Die States

Perfect die.
A fine die crack joins the top of TE in STATES. Another crosses the top of MER.
A strong die crack extends from the left wing into the lower part of the scroll. The crack joining TE now extends across the top of S into the field. The crack across the top of MER extends across IC.
The crack above TES extends to the rim above OF. The crack across MERIC extends to the top of A3.

OC-4 is found with all four reverse die states.

Photo credits:

Obverse 3: 1868 NGC AU details, reverse scratched, cleaned, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse B: 1868 PCGS PR55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.