1870 OC-P2
Original Proof

Die Pair P1 - 1869 PB
Date Grid LE / 5-3.0 / VS up
Obverse Die States a
Estimated Rarity R4+
1, 0 Vertical H, H
Reverse Die States a



Comments:
   This is the second of four uses of Obverse P1 (the fourth use struck business strikes) and the only use of Reverse 1869 PB in 1870.
Reverse 1869 PB is transitional, first used to strike OC-P5 in 1869.


Obverse P1

The photo below shows the Obverse P1 attribution grid.



1870 Obverse P1 attribution grid


This obverse displays a light curving die line extending off the lower end of the upper ribbon, shown below.



1870 Obverse P1 die line below ribbon


Obverse P1 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.


Reverse 1869 PB

Reverse 1869 PB can be very difficult to distinguish from Reverse 1869 PA., but there are a few markers that can separate the two dies. Reverse 1869 PA exhibits die doubling on the left side of the motto. Reverse 1869 PB has only very minor doubling at the top of WE, and NO doubling on IN. Reverse 1869 PB has a tiny rust pit below the edge of the scroll above the left side of the R in TRUST. These features are shown on the photo below.



Reverse 1869 PB markers in the motto


Reverse PB also displays a unique scribe line along the denticles above the ST in STATES. This line is shown in the photo below.



Reverse 1869 PB scribe line above ST


A final marker to differentiate the two dies is the unfinished area between the lower and middle leaves. This area is much smaller on Reverse 1869 PA. The photo below contrasts the two die to show this difference.



Unfinished area between the leaves
Reverse 1869 PB (above) vs. Reverse 1869 PA (below)


Reverse 1869 PB Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed. This die marriage has been seen with die rotations of up to 20 degrees. The rotated die examples don't seem to be particularly rare.



Photo credits:

Obverse P1:   1870 NGC Proof details, cleaned, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1869 PA:   1869 PCGS PR63, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1869 PB:   1870 PCGS PR64, from the Heritage archives.


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