1869 OC-P4

1869 OC-P4 Original Proof 6 in Denticles, MPD-001, Doubled Die Reverse, Repunched 1 Top-30 Variety

Die Pair	P3 - PA
Date Grid	JR of C / 4-3.5 / VS down
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R5-
1, 9 Vertical	SH, VSL
Reverse Die States	a

Comments: This is the first of two uses of Obverse P3 and the first of three uses of Reverse PA in 1869.
Reverse 1869 PA is transitional, used again in 1870 to strike 1870 OC-P1.

Obverse P3
The photo below shows the Obverse P3 attribution grid.

1869 Obverse P3 attribution grid
Misplaced 6, repunched 1, lumps

Obverse P3 can also be identified by the misplaced 6 in the denticles under the right side of the prominent 6. This variety is identified as MPD-001. This obverse also features repunching on the 1, visible under the base, and two small lumps in the field between the base of the 1 and the denticles. All these features are visible in the photo. We've made this variety one of our Top-30.

Obverse P3 Die States

Perfect die.
Polished die. Most die markers have been almost completely removed.

No later die states have been observed. OC-P4 is found only with obverse die state a.

Reverse PA
Reverse 1869 PA has no obvious markers, but it does display minor die doubling that’s visible on the left side of the motto and on the adjacent elements. This doubling is indicated by the arrows in the photo below. This is like doubling on several other reverses, particularly Reverse A. The unfinished area between the lower and middle leaves is much smaller on this reverse.

Reverse 1869 PA die doubling

Reverse 1869 PA Die States

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed.

Photo credits:

Obverse P3: 1869 PCGS PR61 (mis-attributed as a proof by PCGS), from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse PA: 1869 PCGS PR63, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.