Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1888 Variety 40


Obverse 42	Reverse AP

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Clash Mark In Front Of Eye

Obverse 42 Die Crack Mapping

Reverse Diagnostics

Macro Photography Of Reverse AP Clash Mark Through (C)ENT and Die Crack Between (3:30 and 5:15)
Clash Mark (Click Image To Enlarge)	Die Crack (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse AP Die Crack Mapping

Obverse 42 is observed with date placement at LH. Obverse 42 has acquired a clash mark in front of the eye of Miss Liberty from a clashing event with Reverse AP and has developed the following die cracks:
1. Die crack connects the tops of 'OF AMERICA'.
2. Die crack from the denticles at 4:45 connects the bases of the 1888 digits of the date and continues into the denticles at 7:00.
3. Die crack extends from die crack #2 and connects the tops of 'UNITED'.
4. Die crack connects the letters of 'UNITE(D)' and 'STATES' and extends through the first feather and through the field, where it intersects die crack #1.

Reverse AP is rotated 5 degrees clockwise. Reverse AP has acquired a clash mark through (C)ENT from a clashing event with Obverse 42 and has developed the following die cracks:
1. Die crack from the rim at 5:00 upward through the wreath stem, right ribbon end, lower and middle arrowheads and upward through the right wreath to the right side of the shield.
2. Die crack splits from die crack #1 and extends into the rim at 3:30.
3. Die crack from the rim at 7:30 extends upward into the middle olive leaf, where it splits into two die cracks. One extends across through the olive leaves and, most likley, through the ribbon knot and downward along the wreath stem, where it intersects with die crack #1. The second extends upward through the olive leaves and continues through the left wreath to the top, where it continues into the left side of the shield.

Comments: Variety 40 may be characterized as both obverse and reverse developing circumferential die cracking. Although both Obverse 42 and Reverse AP have developed primarily light die cracking, Reverse AP has developed heavy die cracking between 3:30 and 5:15. The severity of the die cracking between 3:30 and 5;15 may portend a a die break in this area during a future Reverse AP die state.

The negligible rotation of Variety 40 is a static rotational attribute of this die pairing and was evident during the clashing event between Obverse 42 and Reverse AP.

Variety 40 was first identified by David Killough, who submitted the above plate coin during mid May 2020 for inclusion in this book based on the die cracking of Obverse 42 and Reverse AP.

Plate coin: Courtesy of David Killough Collection, AU55