Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1902 Variety 19


Obverse 22	Reverse U

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Obverse 22 Die Break inside 2

Obverse 22.2 Die Break inside 2

Obverse 22 Die Flow Lines

Obverse 22.2 Die Break at Eighth Feather Tip

Obv. 22.3 Die Break at Eighth Feather Tip

Obv. 22.3 Die Break under the Chin

Reverse Diagnostics

Reverse U.2 Die Crack from 3:30

Reverse U.2 Die Flow Lines

Obverse 22 is observed with date placement at C. Obverse 22 exhibits light to moderately heavy die flow lines and a die break above the base of the 2.
Obv. 22.2: The die flow lines have now become moderaely heavy, the break above the base of the 2 has become larger and the beginning of a die break located at the tip of the eight feather has formed..
Obv. 22.3: The die flow lines have now become heavy and subsequent die erosion is seen at the tip of the feathers. The die chip at the tip of the eighth feather has increased substantially in size and a smaller die break has developed under the chin of Miss Liberty.

Reverse U is in a similar die state as Obverse 22, with light to moderately heavy die flow lines.
Rev. U.2: The die flow lines have now become moderately heavy and a die crack has developed from 3:30 to the middle arrowhead.
Rev. U.3: The die flow lines have now become heavy.

Comments: Variety 19a was first identified during April 2015 by Ed Nathanson, who submitted the Variety 19a plate coin listed below based on the die break inside the 2 of Obverse 22.

During late May 2015, Russell Doughty identified the Variety 19b incremental die state, which is listed below within the Die States for 1902 Variety 19 table.

The point of interest for Variety 19 is the die break that develops within the 2. The break is quite interesting in terms of its location and certainly rare in occurrence. However, the small die break located at the tip of the eighth feather is a common die failure point for the late nineteenth and early twentieth century Indian Cent obverse working dies.

Plate Coin: Robert Malo, Jr., AU58

A similar die break above the base of the 2 digit occurred on the following 1902 Liberty Nickel: