Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1865 Plain 5 Variety 23


Obverse 23	Reverse AAL.2

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Macro Photography Of Obverse 23 Die Rust
Die Rust On Neck	Die Rust Left Of Ear

Macro Photography Of Obverse 23 Die Rust
Die Rust On Ribbon	Die Rust Between Feathers 4 and 5

Reverse Diagnostics

Artifacts Above Shield (Click Image To Enlarge)

Artifact and Die Crack (Click Image To Enlarge)

Macro Photography Of Reverse AAL.2 Clash Marks and Rim Break
Clash Mark Through (C)ENT	Clash Marks (Click Image To Enlarge)	Rim Break Between 1:45 and 2:15

Macro Photography Of Rev. AAL.2 Die Crack, Rev. AAL.3 Retained Cud and Rev. AAL.4 Cud
Rev. AAL.2 Die Crack (Click Image To Enlarge)	Reverse AAL.3 Retained Cud	Reverse AAL.4 Cud

Obverse 23 is identified by date placement at B and localized area of die rust on the neck, left of ear, on the ribbon and between feathers 4 and 5.

The second usage of Reverse AAL. Reverse AAL is rotated 9 degrees counter clockwise and is identified by two artifacts above the top right of the shield and an artifact within the denticles at 9:00. Reverse AAL has developed the following die crack:
1. Radial die crack from the rim at 9:15 extends into the left wreath.
Rev. AAL.2: Reverse AAL has acquired an additional set of clash marks, developed a rim break between 1:45 and 2:15 and has developed the following die crack:
2. Die crack extending along the outer edge of the left wreath between 10:00 and 10:15.
Rev. AAL.3: Reverse AR has developed a retained cud between 10:15 and 10:45.
Rev. AAL.4: The retained portion of the die break between 10:15 and 10:45 is absent, resulting in a full cud.

Comments: Reverse AAL was previously in service paired with Obverse 22 during the 1865 Plain 5 Variety 22 Die Pairing.

Reverse AAL exhibits two sets of clash marks at different degrees of rotation with respect to each other, which indicates the two clashing events occurred at different working die rotations. The second set of clash marks may have been acquired during the initial usage of Reverse AAL, since I have not been able to identify Obverse 23 with clash marks.

The Reverse AAL.4 break was initially brought to my attention by the Variety 23b Plate Coin listed below that was found in the inventory of Joseph Larson. Joseph was extremely kind in allowing me to use his images to illustrate Variety 23b for this book. During early October 2016, David Killough submitted an earlier die state of Variety 23 which features the Reverse AAL break retained.

During Mid February 2021, Paul Nomes submitted an earlier die state of Variety 23 prior to the Reverse AAL die break. Paul's coin is the earliest die state of Variety 23 yet identified, with Reverse AAL exhibiting only a die crack extending along the outer edge of the left wreath between 10:00 and 10:15.

Plate Coin (Variety 23): Courtesy of Paul Nomes Collection, AU50
Plate Coin (Variety 23a): D. Poliquin Collection, VF30 Details
Plate Coin (Variety 23b): Images courtesy of Joseph Larson

Die States For 1865 Plain 5 Variety 23

VARIETY 23 OBVERSE 23 REVERSE AAL.2
VARIETY 23a OBVERSE 23 REVERSE AAL.3
VARIETY 23b OBVERSE 23 REVERSE AAL.4