Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

Home
Table of Contents
For Sale List
Numismatic Links
David's Numismatic Blog

1887 Variety 29


Obverse 34	Reverse AI

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position

Obverse 34 Die Crack Mapping

Reverse Diagnostics

Small Die Breaks At Upper Left Side Of (C)ENT

Clash Mark Through (C)ENT

Reverse AI Die Crack Mapping

Obverse 34 is observed with date placement at LH and has developed the following die cracks:
1. Die crack connecting the tops of 'A(MERIC)A'.
2. Die crack connecting the tops of 'UNITED' and '(ST)ATES'.

Reverse AI is rotated 5 degrees clockwise and has acquired a clash mark through (C)ENT, developed two small die breaks located at the upper left side of '(C)ENT' and the following die cracks:
1. Light die crack from the upper right side of the shield merges with die crack #2.
2. Heavy die crack from the rim at 5:30 upward through the outer edge of the right wreath to the rim at 1:15. Two small die breaks form along this die crack, one located at 4:00 and the other at 9:00.
3. Die crack from the rim at 2:30 intersects die crack #2.
4. Die crack from the rim at 4:00 intersects die crack #2, where a small die break develops above the middle arrowhead.
5. Die crack segment extends along the outer edge of the left wreath between 9:00 and 9:30.
6. Light die crack from the upper left side of the shield extends into the top of the left wreath.

Comments: Variety 29 may be characterized by a lightly cracked obverse and a reverse that has developed distinctive die cracking on the right side.

All examples of Variety 29, which number 3 as of this writing, have exhibited the small die breaks on the upper left side of (C)ENT. I strongly suspect these die breaks are associated with the current die state of Reverse AI and are not an attribute of Reverse AI during earlier die states.

Variety 29 was first identified by this author during early January 2020.

Plate coin: Bob Travis Collection, AU58