Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

Home
Table of Contents
For Sale List
Numismatic Links
David's Numismatic Blog

1863 Variety 23


Obverse 23	Reverse Y

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Die File Marks By Ear (Click Image To Enlarge)

Die Crack From 10:00

Repaired Top Of 'STAT(E)S'

Reverse Diagnostics

Reverse Y Die Crack Mapping

Reverse Y Primary Die Cracks
11:00-12:45 (Click Image To Enlarge)	Right Of Shield (Click Image To Enlarge)	2:00-4:00 (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse Y Primary Die Crack From 9:45 and Die Lines Within Vertical Shield Bars
Die Crack From 9:00 (Click Image To Enlarge)	Die Lines Within Shield (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse Y.2 and Y.3 Die Crack Between (11:00 and 12:45) and Reverse Y.3 Small Die Break Above Middle Arrowhead
Rev. Y.2 Die Crack (Click Image To Enlarge)	Reverse Y.3 Die Crack Between 11:00 and 12:45	Rev. Y.3 Die Break Above Middle Arrowhead

Obverse 23 is identified by date placement at B and die file marks by the ear, with a longer file mark extending to the neck of Miss Liberty. Obverse 23 is observed with a repaired top of 'STAT(E)S' and has developed the following die crack:
1. Die crack from the rim at 10:00 extends upward to the top of 'STA(T)ES'.

Reverse Y is rotated 4 degrees counter clockwise and is observed with die lines within the vertical shield bars. Reverse Y has developed the following die cracks:
1. Moderately heavy die crack from the rim at 11:00 extends through the horizontal shield bars and exits into the rim at 12:45.
2. Die crack extends from die crack #1 within the upper right side of the shield and continues downward along the outer edge of the right wreath.
3. Light die crack from the denticles at 2:00 extends diagonally upward into the right wreath.
4. Moderately heavy die crack from the rim at 2:00 extends downward through the olive leaves of the right wreath and tip of the middle arrowhead, where it exits into the rim at 4:00.
5. Die crack from the rim at 7:30 extends across through the lower olive leaves, ribbon knot and wreath stem.
6. Moderately heavy die crack from the rim at 9:45 extends upward through the olive leaves of the left wreath and continues into the field to the left of the upper left side of the shield, where the die crack splits and intersects die crack #1.
Rev. Y.2: Reverse Y is rotated 8 degrees counter clockwise. The die crack between 11:00 and 12:45 has become incrementally more severe and a small die break has developed at the field area to the left of the shield where die crack #6 intersects die crack #1 .
Rev. Y.3: Reverse Y is rotated 5 degrees counter clockwise. The die crack between 11:00 and 12:45 has become more severe at either side of the shield. In addition, the die crack between 2:00 and 4:00 has become incrementally more severe and has developed a small die break above the middle arrowhead.

Comments: Several 1863 obverses exhibit die file marks by the ear similar to those of Obverse 23. Recognizing individual obverse attributes, including the severity and orientation of the die file marks, will be necessary to correctly identify 1863 obverses with die file marks by the ear.

Plate Coin (Variety 23): Courtesy of Patrick Jenkins Collection, ANACS MS64
Plate Coin (Variety 23a): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, AU50
Plate Coin (Variety 23b): Images courtesy of Rick Snow, NGC MS62 (Snow 21b Plate Coin)

Die States For 1863 Variety 23

VARIETY 23 OBVERSE 23 REVERSE Y
VARIETY 23a OBVERSE 23 REVERSE Y.2
VARIETY 23b OBVERSE 23 REVERSE Y.3