In regards to this series, the entire design image is impressed into a working die from a working hub, with the exception of the date.  The dates were individually impressed into each working die with the exception of 1909.   As a result, there will be variances in the placement of the date and the above section of die varieties will help in desribing an individual dies.  So, we may use this fact to help us attribute, or identify individual dies.  By utilizing a simple geometric concept, we can measure date placement by construcintg a line from the left edge of the serif of the 1 and the left edge of the base of that 1 and extending it into the denticles below.  Where the line intersects in relation to a denticle is the date measurement and can be described as B(between denticles), LE(left edge of denticle),LH(left half of denticle), C(center of denticle), RH(right half of denticle) and RE(right edge of denticle).  Since two points define a line, the serif and base of the 1 satisfy that law and we have an accurate attribute for that particular die.  An illustration of this can be found here:  date placement .

Reverse die identification is not as precise, since the entire image ws impresed into a working die and there was nothing individually added, as was the case with the date on obverse working dies.  In this case, if the image was sunk deep into the working die, then elements close to the rim would touch or nearly do so.  These elements are the shield points and the first olive leaf.  If the image was not sunk too deeply, then these images would be farther away from the rim.  I rarely use this as an additional identifier for an obvere or reverse die variety, unless an obverse die variety is paired with two different reverses with no other die markers such as die cracks to differentiate the two.  Nevertheless, an illustration of this process can be found here:  Reverse Identification

Sometimes working dies will incur damge such as scratches, gouges, chips and etc. that also help in identifying particular dies.  Any type of mark on a working die will be transferred to a coin and will be in relief.  However, the absence of these identifiers leave us with only date placement and reverse hubbing depth to describe a particular die.  When I describe a die variety in this book, I will mention date placement and any other die marker present under the comment section of each variety.  In addition, a close-up of the date and macrophotography of the stated die variety.

Die Numbering

The numbering system I use for this online reference is the same method that Jerry Fortin employs in his 'Definitive Resource for Liberty Seated Dime Variety Collectors".  I think it is a logical approach to the study of die pairs.

Die marriages for a particular date are dentoed by a number, starting with 1 and continuing with 2, 3, 4, and etc. for each consecutive die pair.  Die states for each variety will be denoted by a lower case letter next to the die marriage number.  For instance 1a, 1b and 1c all denote the same die pair, but each describe a different die state.  Die states are usually noted for die crack formations, cuds, clashes, and die polishing.  Where applicable,  a table will be available at the die variety page for a given date and will denote the die marriage number, as well as die stage letter.  In addition, a photograph of the obverse and reverse of the coin in each die state will be included in the table.  The die stage table is an important tool for conveying die state progression, whereas describing die states with just words seems inefficient
           

Obverse die for a particular die pair is denoted  with numbers, starting with 1 and coninuing onward for each observed die pair.  Die states for each obverse are listed as 1.2, 1.3 and etc.  Reverse die for a particular die pair is denoted with a capital letter, starting with A and continuing onward alphabetically for each observed die pair.  Die states for each reverse are listed as A.2, A.3 and etc.