Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1866 Variety 18

Obverse 12

Reverse R

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Repunched Last 6

Clash Marks In Front Of Face

Clash Marks Above Feathers

Die Crack from 1:15 to 2:15

Die Crack from ITED to 9:30

Die Cracks through States to 11:45

Obverse 12.2 Retainded Cud

Obverse 12.3 Cud

Obverse 12 Die Crack Mapping

Reverse Diagnostics

Clash Marks To The Right Of The Left Wreath

Clash Mark Through The C Of CENT

Die Polish Lines

Reverse R.2 Strike Weakness Between 7:00 and 7:30

Obverse 12 is identified by date placement at RH and date repunching that features an initial date impression to the south within the upper loop of the last 6. Obverse 12 has acquired clash marks to the left and top of the portrait. The following die cracks are noted:
1. Light die crack from the denticles at 1:15 downward through the field and into the second feather tip.
2. Die crack from the rim at 1:15 connecting the tops of OF and exiting at the rim at 2:15.
3. Die crack from the rim at 3:15 connecting the tops of AM of AMERICA.
4. Die crack from 9:30 connecting the tops of ITED of UNITED
5. Die crack from the rim at 9:30 connecting the tops of STATES and exiting at the denticles at 11:45.
6. Die crack from the rim at 10:15 joins the crack from #5 and exits to the rim at 11:00
Obv. 12.2: Retained cud forms between 10:15 and 11:00.
Obv. 12.3: Full cud has now formed between 10:15 and 11:00.

Reverse R is rotated 178 degrees clockwise and is observed with die polish lines. Reverse R has acquired two clash marks to the right of the upper left wreath from a clashing event with Obverse 12.
Rev. R.2: Reverse R is observed with normal coin orientation with no rotation noted and has acquired a clash mark through the C of CENT from a second clashing event with Obverse 12. In addition, Reverse R exhibits strike weakness between 7:00 and 7:30 due to the increase in demand of metal to fill the void of the Obverse 12 die break.

Comments: Obverse 12 was previously in service paired with Reverse O during the Variety 15 die pairing, where Obverse 12 acquired the heavy die clashes. During the Variety 18 die pairing, Obverse 12 was paired with Reverse R that was rotated 178 degrees. During this die rotation, Obverse 12 and Reverse R clashed and formed two clash marks to the right of the upper left wreath. The Variety 18 die rotation was subsequently corrected and Obverse 12 and Reverse R clash once again, but this time during normal alignment and Revese R acquired a clash mark through the C of CENT.

Since no reverse was available for study during the 18a die state, I cannot be sure if the reverse remains rotated 178 degrees. However, there was no reverse rotation during the 18b die state and I assume that the 18a die state will also not exhibit any die rotation.

The image of the Obverse 12.2 retained cud is courtesy of Cuds-On-Coins.com

The cud of Obverse 12.3 was initially identified in the book, 'The Design Cud', by Paul Marvin and Arnold Margolis. The Marvin & Margolis reference number is IC-1866-1.

Plate Coin (Variety 18): Ernest Miller, XF40
Plate Coin (Variety 18b): Keith Bock Collection, ANACS AU55

1866 Variety 18 Die States

VARIETY 18 OBVERSE 12 REVERSE R Die Rotation: 178 degrees CW
VARIETY 18b OBVERSE 12.3 REVERSE R.2