1871 OC-2

Die Pair 2 - A
Date Grid JR of C / 5-1.0 / Level
Obverse Die States a
Estimated Rarity R3
1, 1 Vertical H, H
Reverse Die States b



Comments:
   This is the only use of Obverse 2 and the second of five uses of Reverse A.


Obverse 2

The photo below shows the Obverse 2 attribution grid.



1871 Obverse 2 attribution grid


Obverse 2 exhibits no notable die markers, but the date position should be sufficient for identification.

Obverse 2 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
No later die states have been observed.


Reverse A

1871 Reverse A was the workhorse die for the year, paired with 5 different obverse dies. It features two minor but notable die markers that allow easy identification for any coin grading a strong F or better. A small die line curls up to the right off the lower right base of the first T in TRUST. A small lump is attached to the lower edge of the D in GOD. The photo below shows these markers. The die line may not be clearly visible in photos. It depends on the lighting and the condition of the coin being viewed. The lump can almost always be seen, even on very low-grade coins.



1871 Reverse A die markers


Reverse A Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A faint die crack crosses the top of ERICA.
  3. A faint die crack crosses the top of TES. The crack above ERICA has now extended across M.
  4. The die crack across the top of TES now extends across the top of OF.
No later states have been observed. OC-2 has been found only with reverse die state b.



Photo credits:

Obverse 2:   1871 PCGS XF40, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Reverse A:   1871 PCGS MS61, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


Copyright © 2015-2021, by Dick Osburn and Brian Cushing, All rights reserved.