1869 OC-5

1869 OC-5 Multiple MPD's - Top-30 Variety

Die Pair	5 - B
Date Grid	RE / 4.5.0 / Level
Obverse Die States	a, b

Estimated Rarity	R3+
1, 9 Vertical	SH, C
Reverse Die States	a, b

Comments: This is the only use of Obverse 5 and the second of six uses of Reverse B.

Obverse 5
The following photo shows the Obverse 5 attribution grid. This die displays a misplaced 186 in the denticles. The 1 pokes above the denticles under the prominent 1. The 8 and 6 are below the top of the denticles. In addition, the base of another errant 1 is visible under the prominent 1. All these features are indicated by arrows in the photo. We’ve made this multiple-MPD variety one of our Top-30.

1869 Obverse 5 attribution grid

Obverse 5 Die States

Perfect die.
Die polishing has significantly weakened the diagnostic MPDs under the 1.

No later die states have been observed. OC-5 is found with obverse die states a and b.

Reverse B
Reverse B can be identified by a small die chip in the eagle’s mouth. This marker appears like a comma on the coin. It’s shown in the following photo.

1869 Reverse B die chip
Because of its position in a recessed area of the coin this marker is visible on even relatively low-grade examples, although because of its small size it may be difficult to detect from pictures.

Reverse B Die States

Perfect die.
Die cracks across the top of UNITED, joining the top of ST, across the top of TES O to the denticles above F, across the top of AMERIC.
Die cracks are heavier, particularly across TES O.

OC-5 is found with reverse die states a and b.

Photo credits:

Obverse 5: 1869 PCGS MS61, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse B: 1869 NGC AU53, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.