1872 OC-4

Die Pair 3 - B
Date Grid RE / 5-1.0 / Level
Obverse Die States a, b
Estimated Rarity R2
1, 2 Vertical C, C
Reverse Die States a, b



Comments:
   This is the only use of Obverse 3 and the first of four uses of Reverse B.


Obverse 3

The photo below shows the Obverse 3 attribution grid.



1872 Obverse 3 attribution grid


Also in the photo is a tiny die line extending from the shield border at the base of vertical shield line 5-2. This can aid in confirming attribution, as can die lines under the heel, shown in the following photo.



1872 Obverse 3 die lines under heel

Note that the Obverse 3 date position is virtually identical to that of the much rarer Obverse 9. The only differences are the die lines under the heel that are present only on Obverse 3, and the lack of the die line in the denticles below the 8 seen on Obverse 9.


Obverse 3 Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A very faint die crack through the base of the 1. Heavy die rust pits throughout the gown and shield.
No later die states have been observed.


Reverse B

Reverse B shows one notable lump between the upright and the right serif of the first T in TRUST, probably caused by die rust. Several die lines around TR in TRUST can also be seen on most mid- to high-grade examples. These are shown in the following photo.



1872 Reverse B lump
and die lines in motto


Reverse B Die States
  1. Perfect die.
  2. A faint die crack at the base of OL extends to the period.
  3. The die crack now extends left through the base of the D in DOL.
OC-4 has been found with die states a and b.



Photo credits:

Obverse 3 and Reverse B:   1872 PCGS AU53, from the Osburn-Cushing reference collection.


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