Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1863 Variety 15


Obverse 15	Reverse Q

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Die Chip by Hair Curl

Die Chip By The Eye

Die Chip On Third Feather Spine

Triangular-Shaped Marks Under LIBE(RT)Y

Die Crack From 7:15

Obv. 15.2 Die Crack Mapping

Reverse Diagnostics

Macro Photography Of Reverse Q Lint Hub-Through and Die Polish Lines
Lint Hub-Through At 9:00 (Click Image To Enlarge)	Die Polish Lines (Click Image To Enlarge)	Die Polish Lines (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse Q.2 Die Crack Mapping

Obverse 15 is identified by date placement at RH, with die chips by the hair curl under the ear, in front of the eye and on the third feather spine. Obverse 15 was struck from misaligned working dies and is observed with moderately heavy die flow lines. Obverse 15 develops the following die cracks:
1. Die crack segment from the base of the lower hair curl extends upward and connects the last two feathers.
2. Die crack from the rim at 7:15 extends to the bust point and along the the bottom of the portrait to the lower hair curls.
Obv. 15.2: Die crack from the denticles at 12:30 downward connecting the fifth and sixth feathers.

Reverse Q is rotated 6 degrees clockwise. Reverse Q was struck from misaligned working dies and is observed with a lint hub-through located at 9:00 within the left wreath, die polish lines above the shield and between the left ribbon end, arrow quill and olive leaves. Reverse Q develops the following die cracks:
1. Die crack from the rim at 12:30 down into the right side of the shield.
2. Die crack from the rim at 2:30 upward through the wreath.
3. Die crack develops from the die crack #2 and extends downward through the wreath to the rim at 4:30.
4. Radial die crack segment extends between the ribbon bow and olive leaves, where it extends upward through (C)ENT and into the left Side Of (O)NE.
5. Die crack from the rim at 9:00 upward through the wreath.
Rev. Q.2: The Reverse Q die cracks have become heavier and Reverse Q is now rotated 5 degrees clockwise.

Comments: Obverse 15 was previously in service during the 1863 Variety 14 Die Pairing and will return to service paired with Reverse AAAAB during the 1863 Variety 104 Die Pairing.

Plate Coin (Variety 15): Courtesy of Steve Shaw collection, MS63
Plate Coin (Variety 15a): David Killough Collection, XF45

Die States For 1863 Variety 15

VARIETY 15 OBVERSE 15 REVERSE Q
VARIETY 15a OBVERSE 15.2 REVERSE Q.2