Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1864 Copper Nickel Variety 5


Obverse 6	Reverse F

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Die File Marks Around Ear

Reverse Diagnostics

Reverse F.2 Die Crack Mapping

Macro Photography Of Reverse F.2 Rim Breaks
Rim Break Between 5:00 and 6:00	Rim Break Between 6:30 and 7:00

Macro Photography Of Reverse F.2 Die Cracking
Between 1:00 and 2:30 (Click Image To Enlarge)	Between 2:45 and 3:45 (Click Image To Enlarge)

Macro Photography Of Reverse F.2 Die Cracking
Between 3:45 and 5:30 (Click Image To Enlarge)	From 8:00 (Click Image To Enlarge)	Between 9:15 and 10:45 (Click Image To Enlarge)

Obverse 6 is identified by date placement at B and heavy die file marks around the ear of Miss Liberty. Obverse 6 is observed with thin denticles on the right side. Obverse 6 has developed the following die crack:
1. Die crack from the denticles at 2:30 extends downward connecting the tops of 'AM(ER)ICA' and exiting into the denticles at 3:45.
Obv. 6.2: The Obverse 6 die flow lines have become heavy.

Reverse F has developed the following die cracks:
1. Die crack from the denticles at 1:00 extends downward along the outer edge of the rigth wreath to the denticles at 2:30.
2. Die crack from the denticles at 2:45 extends downward through the right wreath.
3. Die crack from the rim at 3:45 extends downward through the middle and lower arrowheads.
4. Die crack from the denticles at 7:30 extends upward along the lower edge of the middle olive leaf.
5. Die crack from the rim at 8:00 extends into the olive leaves.
6. Die crack from the denticles at 10:45 extends downward along the outer edge of the left wreath to the denticles at 9:15.
Rev. F.2: Reverse F has developed two rim breaks between 5:00 and 7:00. The reverse F die cracks have become more severe, with the Reverse F die crack #3 extending further downward through the right ribbon end and wreath stem to the rim break at 5:30. As with the Obverse 6.2 die state, the Reverse F die flow lines have beome heavy.

Comments: During the Variety 5a die state, Variety 5 has experienced working die misalignment that is evident on the right side rim of Obverse 6 and the lower rim of Reverse F.

Obverse 6 will later be in service paired with Reverse AAB during the 1864 Copper Nickel Variety 9 Die Pairing. Based on the deterioration of Reverse F, it would be logical to conclude that the Mint retired Reverse F and employed Obverse 6 into a second die pairing.

Variety 5a was first identified by David Killough, who submitted the Variety 5a Plate Coin listed below during mid May 2020 for inclusion in this book based on the advanced die state of Reverse F. The Variety 5a die state represents the latest die state of the Obv. 6 / Rev. F pairing yet identified.

Plate Coin (Variety 5): Courtesy of Ebay member Scottkrez, PCGS MS65
Plate Coin (Variety 5a): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, VF30

Die States For 1864 Copper Nickel Variety 5

VARIETY 5 OBVERSE 6 REVERSE F
VARIETY 5a OBVERSE 6.2 REVERSE F.2