Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1865 Fancy 5 Variety 22


Obverse 16.2	Reverse AM

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Die Scratch Through the Eye and Upper Lip

Clash Mark In Front Of Eye

Die Flow Lines (Click To Enlarge)

Obverse 16.3 Die Flow LInes (Click To Enlarge)

Reverse Diagnostics

Die Flaw In Right Wreath At 2:30

Die Lines Into Olive Leaves At 7:30

Die Lines To The Left Of (C)ENT

Die Lines To The Left Of Denomination

Minor Die Sinking At 6:45

Minor Die Sinking At 5:15

Reverse AM.2 Die Sinking

Reverse AM.2 Die Crack At 2:00

Reverse AM.2 Die Crack Between 2:00 and 2:30

Reverse AM.2 Die Flow Lines (Click To Enlarge)

The second die pairing of Obverse 16. Obverse 16 is identified by a die scratch through the eye and upper lip of Miss Liberty. Obverse 16 has now developed moderately heavy die flow lines.
Obv. 16.3: The Obverse 16 die flow lines are now heavier.

Reverse AM is identified by a die flaw atop an inner oak leaf located at 2:30 in the right wreath. Reverse AM has developed light die flow lines and slightly raised areas at 5:15 and 6:45 due to the working die sinking these areas. Die lines are noted to the left of the denomination as well as at 7:30.
Rev. AM.2: The Reverse AM die flow lines are now moderately heavy to heavy, die cracking has now developed between 2:00 and 2:30 in the right wreath and the raised areas at 5:15 and 6:45 have now increased in size substantially. The die lines noted during the previous incremental die state are no longer visible due to the heavier die flow lines.

Comments: Obverse 16 was initially in service paired with Reverse AG during the 1865 Fancy 5 variety 17 die pairing.

The point of interest for Variety 22 is the obvious die scratch through the eye and upper lip of Obverse 16 as well as the formation of the raised areas at 5:15 and 6:45 of Reverse AM. Although die sinking is seen on various dies, the reverse AM die sinking is interesting because of the fact that there are two areas of similar size and in symmetrical placement.

During mid March 2019, I discovered an earlier die state of Variety 22, with the Reverse AM raised area at 5:15 and 6:45 not as prominent as those of the AM.2 die state. This observation indicates that the Reverse AM die sinking increased over time during Reverse AM's service rather than sinking all at once.

Variety 22 and 22a were first identified by this author during mid March 2019 and mid July 2015, respectively.

Plate Coin (Variety 22): Bob Travis Collection, PCGS MS63BN (PS)
Plate coin (Variety 22a): A. H. Barber, AU58

Die States For 1865 Fancy 5 Variety 22

VARIETY 22 OBVERSE 16.2 REVERSE AM
VARIETY 22a OBVERSE 16.3 REVERSE AM.2