Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1903 Variety 14


Obverse 13	Reverse N

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Top Of Eighth Feather (Click Image To Enlarge)

Obv. 13.2 Die Break Atop Eighth Feather

Macro Photography Of The Obverse 13 'Goatee' Die Break Stages of Development
Obv. 13.2 Break (Click On Image To Enlarge)	Obv. 13.3 Break (Click Image To Enlarge)	Obv. 13.4 Break (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse Diagnostics

Reverse N Die Crack Mapping

Small Die Break Atop Shield

Obverse 13 is observed with date placement at B. Obverse 13 has developed a small die break on the lower lip of Miss Liberty and has developed moderately heavy to heavy die flow lines.
Obv. 13.2: Obverse 13 has now developed a small die break atop the eighth feather.
Obv. 13.3: The Obverse 13 die break on the lower lip has now increased in size and has extended into the field. The appearance of the break during this die state resembles a goatee.
Obv. 13.4: The Obverse 13 die break on the lower lip has continued to increase in size and has now extended into the chin of Miss Liberty.

Reverse N is in a similar die state as Obverse 13, with the advancement of moderately heavy to heavy die flow lines. Reverse N has developed the following die cracks:
1. Die crack from the rim at 3:45 upward through the right wreath.
2. Die crack from the rim at 11:30 downward into the top left of the shield, where a small die break has formed.

Comments: Both of the small die breaks of Obverse 13 are associated with the advanced die state of Obverse 13 and will not be present during earlier die states. During subsequent later die states, the Obverse 13 die break on the lower lip will become larger. Variety 14 with the die break on the lower lip has been given the moniker "Goatee Variety" by Rick Snow, since the break resembles a goatee.

1903 Variety 14c was first identified by this author during mid February 2022.

During early March 2022, an example of Variety 14 without the die break atop the eighth feather was identified by this author. This example is now the Variety 14 Plate Coin in order to capture the Obverse 13 die state.

Plate Coin (Variety 14): D. Poliquin Collection, XF40
Plate Coin (Variety 14a): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, AU55
Plate Coin (Variety 14b): Mark Clewell Collection, AU50
Plate Coin (Variety 14c): D. Poliquin Collection, VF35