Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1866 Variety 16

Obverse 13

Reverse P

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Die Cracks from 1:15

Die Crack from 4:15

Die Crack from 6:30

Die Cracks from 9:30

Die Crack above STATES

Die Crack from 11:45

Reverse Diagnostics

Die Crack from 1:15 to 3:30

Closeup of Die Crack at 1:15

Closeup of Die Crack at 3:30

Die Crack from 9:00 to 7:45

Die Crack 7:45

* All images are courtesy of Russell Doughty

Obverse 13 is observed with date placement at B. Obverse 13 develops the following die cracks:
1. Radial die crack from the denticles at 1:15 downward into the fourth feather. Two die cracks develop from the aforementioned die crack extend to the tops of OF.
2. Radial die crack from the denticles at 4:15 through the C of AMERICA and terminating within the lower hair curls.
3. Heavy radial die crack from the denticles at 6:30 through the 1 of the date and into the portrait.
4. Die crack from the denticles at 9:30 through NITED of UNITED. Radial die crack from the aforementioned die crack extends into the field toward the nose of Miss Liberty. A third die crack extends from the previous radial die crack and connects the tops of STATE of STATES and terminates into the denticles at 11:15.
5. Die crack from the rim extends to the tops of the first two feathers. Yet another die crack forms from the aforementioned die crack and connects the bottoms of STATES, where it will intersect the radial die crack of #4.

Reverse P is observed with the following die cracks:
1. Die crack from the rim at 1:15 down through the wreath and terminates into the rim at 3:30. A moderately sized die break develops within the wreath at 3:30.
2. Die crack from 9:00 down into the wreath to a point on an olive leaf at 7:45.
3. Die crack from 7:45 intersects the die crack from #2 and continues in an easterly direction.

Comments: The shattered obverse of variety 16 has been known for many years and was given the moniker 'lightning bolt variety' by Rick Snow.

Obverse 13 will later be paired with reverse Q during the 1866 variety 17 die pairing. I suspect reverse P will be retired when a portion of the die becomes separated from either areas defined by the die cracks, though I strongly suspect the die break will occur from the area from 9:00 to 7:45.

Plate Coin: Courtesy of Russell Doughty, AU58