Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1904 Variety 21


Obverse 23	Reverse W

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Repunched 1 (Click Image To Enlarge)

Die Chip (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse Diagnostics

Die Lines In Shield (Click Image To Enlarge)

Die Lines Within Left Wreath At 9:00

MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY OF REVERSE W DIE CRACKING BETWEEN 1:15 AND 3:30
Upper Section (Click Image To Enlarge)	Mid Section (Click Image To Enlarge)	Lower Section (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse W.2 Die Crack Mapping

MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY OF REVERSE W.2 DIE CRACKING BETWEEN 1:15 AND 3:30
Die Cracking From 1:15 To 2:00	Die Cracking From 2:00 To 2:45	Die Cracking From 2:45 To 3:30

Die Cracking Between 1:15 and 2:15

Die Cracking Between 2:15 and 3:30

Reverse W.3 Retained Cud Between 2:15 and 3:30

Obverse 23 is identified by date placement at C, date repunching that features an initial date impression to the south below the base of the 1 and a small die chip in the field between the 0 and 4 of the date. Obverse 23 has developed moderately heavy die flow lines.
Obv. 23.2: The Obverse 23 die flow lines have now become heavier.

Reverse W is identified by numerous die lines within the vertical shield bars and a small section of heavy die lines located at 9:00 within the oak leaves and just below the acorn. Reverse W is in a similar die state as Obverse 23, with the advancement of moderately heavy die flow lines. Reverse W has developed the following die cracks:
1. Light die crack from the rim at 3:30 upward along the outer edge of the right wreath to 1:15.
2. Light die crack from the rim at 2:15 intersects die crack #1.
3. Light die crack from the rim at 9:00 upward through the left wreath.
Rev. W.2: The die cracking between 1:15 and 3:30 has now become more severe and the die flow lines have become heavier.
Rev. W.2: Reverse W has now developed a retained cud between 2:15 and 3:30.

Comments: Reverse W has suffered severe die cracking on the right side during the W.2 die state, with the die crack at 3:30 causing the field in that area to become bi-level. Based on the severity of the Reverse W die cracking, I anticipate Reverse W developing a break in a subsequent die state.

The Reverse W.2 die cracking was first identified by David Killough, who submitted the above plate coin during late July 2017 for inclusion in this book.

During late April 2018, this author discovered the Reverse W.3 die state with a break that I had anticipated in the comments above. The Reverse W.3 break is retained and extends from 2:15 to 3:30, while the heavy die cracking from 1:15 to 2:15 remains as severe as it was during the Reverse W.2 die state.

Plate Coin (Variety 21): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, MS63BN
Plate Coin (Variety 21a): Keith Bock Collection, AU58
Plate Coin (Variety 21b): Keith Bock Collection, VG8

Die States For 1904 Variety 21

VARIETY 21 OBVERSE 23 REVERSE W
VARIETY 21a OBVERSE 23.2 REVERSE W.2
VARIETY 21b OBVERSE 23.2 REVERSE W.3