Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1881 Variety 12


Obverse 16	Reverse P

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Die Chip By Hair Curl (Click Image To Enlarge)

Clash Mark In Front Of Eye

Reverse Diagnostics

Reverse P Design Element Loss Due To Die Lapping
Missing Left Ribbon End	Missing Ribbon Knot Detail Below Wreath Stem	Missing Wreath Stem End and Right Ribbon End

Macro Photography Of Reverse P Die Cracking
Lower Left Wreath (Click Image To Enlarge)	Through Ribbon Knot (Click Image To Enlarge)	Stem & Ribbon End (Click Image To Enlarge)

Macro Photography Of Reverse P Die Cracking
Lower Arrowheads (Click Image To Enlarge)	Lower Right Wreath (Click Image To Enlarge)

Macro Photography Of Reverse P Die Cracking
Mid Right Wreath (Click Image To Enlarge)	Upper Right Wreath (Click Image To Enlarge)

Obverse 16 is observed with date placement at RE. Obverse 16 has developed a small star shaped die chip by the hair curl and moderately heavy to heavy die flow lines. Obverse 16 has acquired a clash mark in front of the eye of Miss Liberty.

Reverse P has been lapped, with resulting detail loss at the left ribbon end, detail loss of the ribbon knot under the wreath stem, and partial detail loss at the right ribbon end. The Revere P die lapping has also slightly shortened the lower arrowheads and has rendered the lower oak leaves of the right wreath shallow in relief. Reverse P has developed heavy die flow lines and die cracking within the lower wreath, as well as along the outer edge of the right wreath.

Comments: The Reverse P detail loss is a result of die lapping, which has affected the lower right quadrant.

Obverse 16 and Reverse P exhibit different die states, with Reverse P being the more heavily die flow lined of the two. This observation indicates that Reverse P was most likley in service prior to the Variety 12 die pairing. Perhaps after its prior service, Reverse P was lapped before it was employed during the Variety 12 die pairing. The following contrasts the difference in die state between Obverse 16 and Reverse P:

Obverse 16 Die Flow Lines (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse P Die Flow Lines (Click Image To Enlarge)

Plate coin: Courtesy of David Killough Collection, MS63BN