1872 OC-13

1872 OC-13

Die Pair	5 - D
Date Grid	JL of C / 5-3.5 / Level
Obverse Die States	a

Estimated Rarity	R5
1, 2 Vertical	SH, SH
Reverse Die States	a

Comments: This is the first of two uses of Obverse 5 and the second and final use of Reverse D.

Obverse 5
The photo below shows the Obverse 5 attribution grid.

1872 Obverse 5 attribution grid

Obverse 5 exhibits several notable lumps, created by die rust, at the left side of the unfinished area under the chin, shown in the photo below.

1872 Obverse 5 lumps under chin

Obverse 5 Die States

Perfect die.

No later die states have been observed.

Reverse D
Reverse D displays few die markers, but one large lump just right of the lower serif of the E in WE should allow easy identification for any example grading VF or better. This is indicated by the arrow in the following photo.

Reverse D lump in motto

Reverse D Die States

Perfect die.

We’ve seen no later die states for either OC-13 die, but this is a rare die marriage. We’ve never been able to personally examine an example. Later states may be out there.

Photo credits:

Obverse 5:   1872 NGC AU55, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.
Obverse 5 date:   1872 PCGS MS61, from the Heritage archives.
Reverse D:   1872 ANACS MS details, cleaned, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.