1870 OC-P3

1870 OC-P3 Original Proof

Die Pair	P1 - 1866 PA
Date Grid	LE / 5-3.0 / VS up
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R5+
1, 0 Vertical	H, H
Reverse Die States	b

Comments: This is the third of four uses of Obverse P1 (the fourth use struck business strikes).
This is the only use of Reverse 1866 PA in 1870.
Reverse 1866 PA is transitional, used in each of the previous four years to strike at least one proof die marriage.

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

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed.

Reverse 1866 PA
Reverse 1866 PA can be quickly identified by the heavy die line under GOD in the motto. Lesser die lines are visible passing through the center of N and the center of WE. Note that these die lines can be difficult to see in a picture if the lighting isn’t right.

Reverse 1866 PA die line under GOD

One can also note that the areas around the leaves are almost completely unfinished on Reverse 1866 PA and on Reverse 1870 PA, whereas these areas are almost completely finished on Reverse 1869 PA.

Reverse 1866 PA Die States

Perfect die.
The die lines and unfinished areas near the leaves have been significantly reduced by die polishing.

No later die states have been observed. OC-P3 has been found only with reverse die state b.

Photo credits:

Obverse P1: 1870 NGC Proof details, cleaned, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse 1866 PA: 1866 PCGS PR61, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.