Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1865 Fancy 5 Variety 4

Obverse 4

Reverse T

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Repunched 8 to the West

Obverse 4.2 Die Crack from 5:00 to Tops of CA

Obverse 4.2 Die Crack from 5:30 to 6:30

Obverse 4.2 Die Crack from 7:00 to Bust Point and 1

Reverse Diagnostics

Reverse T.3 Die Cracks at 11:00 and 1:00

Reverse T.3 Die Cracks at 7:00

Reverse T.4 Die Crack at 9:00

Obverse 4 is identified by repunching to the west on the 8 of the date, with date placement at B. The following die state are observed for obverse 4:
Obv. 4.2: Die crack from the denticles at 5:00 to the tops of CA of AMERICA. Die crack from 5:30 touching the 6 of the date to the denticles at 6:30. Die crack from the denticles at 7:00 splits and reaches the bust point and under the flag of the 1. Die clash marks visible between feathers 7, 8 and 9.

Reverse T is observed with a 5 degree counter clockwise rotation. The following die states are observed for reverse T:
Rev. T.2: Heavy radial die crack from the rim at 11:00 extends to the N of ONE. Die clash marks visible to the right of the denomination.
Rev. T.3: Heavy radial die crack from the rim at 1:00 into the wreath. Moderately sized radial die crack from the rim at 7:00 into the lowest olive leaf. Die crack within the wreath intersects the radial die crack from 7:00 and extends within the wreath from 8:00 to the right ribbon end.
Rev. T.4: Moderately sized die crack from the rim at 9:00 into the wreath.

Comments: Variety 4 may be short lived, due to the advanced degradation of reverse T, while obverse 4 features only light die cracking. Reverse T exhibits symmetry in the die cracking and would be interesting if a later die state is found with a fourth radial die crack developing at 5:00 to complete the symmetry.

Plate Coin: Colin Cummins Collection, F12

Die States for 1865 Fancy 5 Variety 4

VARIETY 4 OBVERSE 4 REVERSE T.2 Die Rotation: 5 degrees CCW
VARIETY 4a OBVERSE 4.2 REVERSE T.3 Die Rotation: 5 degrees CCW
VARIETY 4b OBVERSE 4.2 REVERSE T.4

* Variety 4b images courtesy of Eagle Eye Rare Coins