Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1887 Variety 26


Obverse 31	Reverse AF

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Small Die Break Atop Eighth Feather Tip

Clash Mark In Front Of Eye

Obv. 31.2 Clash Mark In Front Of Eye

Obv. 31.2 Clash Marks Between Feathers 6-9

Obv. 31.2 Clash Marks Above First Three Feathers

Obverse 31 Die Crack Mapping

Reverse Diagnostics

Heavy Die Cracking Between 6:45 and 8:15

Clash Mark Through (C)ENT

Rev. AF.2 Clash Mark Through (C)ENT

Rev. AF.2 Clash Marks To Right Of Denomination

Reverse AF Die Crack Mapping

Obverse 31 is observed with date placement at C. Obverse 31 has acquired a clash mark in front of the eye of Miss Liberty from a clashing event with Reverse AF. Obverse 31 has developed rim breaks between 10:45 and 1:45, an eighth feather tip die break and the following die cracks:
1. Radial die crack from the rim at 12:30 downward into the first feather.
2. Die crack connecting feathers 1 and 2.
3. Die crack connecting with die crack #1 in the field above the second feather and continuing downward connecting feathers 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
4. Die crack from the denticles at 12:45 downward connecting the tops of 'OF'.
5. Moderately Heavy die crack from the rim at 4:30 upward connecting the tops of 'MERIC' of AMERICA.
6. Die crack from the rim at 5:00 continuing diagonally through the 7 of the date and bust point to (U)NITED.
7. Die crack from the hair curl downward to the 7 of the date.
8. Die crack from the denticles at 6:45 connecting the bases of the date.
9. Die crack from the denticles at 7:15 upward connecting 'UNIT' of UNITED.
10. Die crack the rim at 8:15 upward connecting 'TED' of UNITED and (S)STATES.
11. Die crack connecting 'TES' of STATES.
Obv. 31.2: Obverse 31 has clashed a second time with Reverse AF, but with more force than the previous die clashing. This second clashing event has made the clash mark in front of the eye more bold and has created new clash marks above the first three feathers and between feathers 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Reverse AF has acquired a clash mark through the C of CENT from a clashing event with Obverse 31. Reverse AF has developed the following die cracks:
1. Die crack extends from the top of the right wreath downward along the outer edge of the wreath to the lower arrow head, where it intersects die crack #4.
2. Die crack from the rim at 2:15 into die crack #1.
3. Die crack from the rim at 3:30 into die crack #1.
4. Die crack from the rim at 4:15 through the lower arrow head and right ribbon end.
5. Heavy Die crack from the rim at 8:15 downward through the olive leaves and ribbon knot to the wreath stem.
6. Die crack from the rim at 6:45 through the arrow quill and connecting with die crack #5.
7. Die crack from the rim at 8:45 upward through the outer edge of the left wreath to the rim at 10:45. This die crack will split at 10:00, with another crack continuing through the outer edge of the left wreath to the the top of the wreath.
Rev. AF.2: Reverse AF has clashed a second time with Obverse 31, but with more force than the previous die clashing. This second clashing event has made the clash mark through (C)ENT more bold and has created new clash marks to the right of the denomination.

Comments: Variety 26 may be characterized by extensive die cracking of Obverse 31 and Reverse AF, with Reverse AF developing particularly heavy die cracking between 6:45 and 8:15.

Variety 26 was first identified by this author during mid October 2018.

During mid November 2018, David Killough submitted an AU53 example of Variety 26 that exhibited stronger clash marks than the plated coin above. Close examination of David's coin, as well as a review of additional examples of Variety 26 from my 1887 die states database, reveals that the stronger clash marks on David's coin are a result of a second and stronger clashing event between Obverse 31 and Reverse AF. David's coin has been assigned the 26a incremental die state in order to capture the second clashing event of Obverse 31 and Reverse AF.

Plate Coin (Variety 26): Greg Keller Collection, XF45
Plate Coin (Variety 26a): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, AU53

Die States For 1887 Variety 26

VARIETY 26 OBVERSE 31 REVERSE AF
VARIETY 26a OBVERSE 31.2 REVERSE AF.2