Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1903 Variety 9


Obverse 9	Reverse J

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Repunched 1

Repunched 9

Repunched 0 and 3

Clash Mark In Front Of Eye

Reverse Diagnostics

Hub Doubling In Left Wreath

Hub Doubling In Right Wreath

Hub Doubling In Right Wreath

Die Crack From 8:15 and Small Die Break

Die Crack From 3:30 and Small Die Break

Clash Mark Through The C Of CENT

Clash Marks To The Right Of The Denomination

Rev. J.2 Die Break Between 2:15 and 2:30

Obverse 9 is identified by date placement at RH and date repunching that features initial date impressions to the south below the serif and base of the 1, to the north within the lower loop of the 9, to the north within the 0 and to the north within the lower loop of the 3. Obverse 9 has developed heavy die flow lines and has acquired clash marks in front of the eye and above the first three feathers from a clashing event with Reverse J.

Reverse J is identified by Class II hub doubling on the wreath veins of the left and right wreath. Reverse J has acquired clash marks through the C of CENT and to the right of the denomination from a clashing event with Obverse 9 and is in a similar die state as Obverse 9, with the advancement of heavy die flow lines. Reverse J has developed the following die cracks and small breaks:
1. Die crack from the rim at 3:30 through the right wreath to the middle arrowhead. A small die break forms under the oak leaf that resides immediately above the middle arrowhead.
2. Light die crack from the rim at 8:15 through the upper olive leaf. A small die break forms under the top olive leaf.
Rev. J.2: Reverse J has developed a small die break in the field between the oak leaf and denticles at a location between 2:15 and 2:30.

Comments: The Reverse J hub doubling is quite bold and features separation that is much greater than normally seen with Class II hub doubling.

During late July 2018, David Killough submitted the above plate coin based on his discovery of the previously unidentified date repunching on the 0 and 3 digits.

During mid May 2021, David Killough submitted a 1903 Indian Cent that featured minor date repunching and a small reverse break between 2:15 and 2:30. Upon examination of David's coin, I was able to determine that the coin was struck from the 1903 Variety 9 Die Pairing. In order to capture the Reverse J.2 die state, David's coin is now the 1903 Variety 9a Plate Coin and is included below within the 1903 Variety 9 Die States. The Reverse J.2 die break was first illustrated in Frank Leone's reference 'Sam Thurman's Cud Collection', though the Reverse J.2 die break is not a cud. Sam Thurman's notes indicate a cross reference of IC-03-1RA; however, this reference number was not found in either the 'The Design Cud' nor the 'The Cud Book'. The IC-03-1RA reference number may have been a supplement to the 'Cud Book'.

Plate Coin (Variety 9): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, AU55
Plate Coin (Variety 9a): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, AU50

Die States For 1903 Variety 9

VARIETY 9 OBVERSE 9 REVERSE J
VARIETY 9a OBVERSE 9 REVERSE J.2