1870 OC-3

1870 OC-3

Die Pair	3 - A
Date Grid	JR of C / 4-5.0 / Level
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R2
1, 0 Vertical	H, SH
Reverse Die States	b, c, d

Comments: This is the first of two uses of Obverse 3 (the second use is a re-marriage of these same dies) and the fourth of ten uses of Reverse A (including 2 re-marriages).

Obverse 3
The photo below shows the Obverse 3 attribution grid.

1870 Obverse 3 attribution grid

Obverse 3 can also be easily identified by a small lump in Miss Liberty’s lap, visible on even low grade examples. Light die lines in the same area are much less notable, but can be seen on high-grade examples. PLEASE NOTE THAT IN DIE STATE B THIS LUMP IS GONE, OBLITERATED BY A LARGER IRREGULAR LUMP BELOW IT. The small lump and die lines are shown in the photo below. The large lump is shown in the following photo.

1870 Obverse 3 - Die state a
Small die lump in lap

1870 Obverse 3 - Die state b
Large die lump in lap

Obverse 3 Die States

Perfect die. The die lump is small.
Huge lump on the leg. This lump, shown in the photo above, has obliterated the small lump (rare die state).

No later die states have been observed. OC-3 is found only with obverse die state a. Obverse die state b is seen only on the re-marriage, OC-3a.

Our example of OC-3a exhibits die rotation of about 8 degrees counterclockwise. We believe that this rotation occurred when the dies were reused to create the re-marriage. Examples of OC-3 normally exhibit virtually no die rotation.

This die marriage is often found with a very weak strike, particularly on the obverse stars. Examples of OC-3a exhibit a stronger obverse strike.

Reverse A
Reverse A displays a very strong die line, joining the lower two leaves. Also note the die rust around the end of the lower leaf.

1870 Reverse A die line

The Reverse A die is strongly doubled. This will be notable on high grades, but may not be detectable on grades below VF/XF.

1870 Reverse A die doubling

Reverse A Die States

Perfect die.
Very light clashing in shield recesses.
Die crack across the top of UNITED.
The die crack now extends across the top of STATES.
A faint die crack crosses the top of AMERICA.
The crack across the top of STATES now extends to the rim right of S2. An additional die crack crosses the top of OF extending toward the rim right of F.

OC-3 is found with reverse die states b, c, and d. This die marriage is often found with a very weak strike, particularly on the obverse stars.

Photo credits:

Obverse 3 date and state a:   1870 NGC AU58, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Obverse 3 state b:   1870 PCGS #81183554 AU50, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse A:   1870 PCGS PR61 (mis-attributed as a proof by PCGS), from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.