Definitive Reference For Indian Cent Die Varieties

DEFINITIVE REFERENCE FOR INDIAN CENT DIE VARIETIES

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1892 Variety 17


Obverse 19	Reverse S

Obverse Diagnostics

Date Position (Click Image To Enlarge)

Misplaced 2 Digit (Click Image To Enlarge)

Obverse 19.2 Rim Breakage (Click Image To Enlarge)

Obverse 19.3 Clash Marks

Obverse 19.3 Rim Break Above 'S(T)ATES'

Obverse 19.3 Die Crack Mapping

Reverse diagnostics

Artifacts Within Shield (Click Image To Enlarge)

Reverse S.3 Clash Marks

Reverse S.3 Die Crack Mapping

Obverse 19 is identified by date placement located at left half of denticle and the top of a misplaced 2 digit among the denticles below and to the right of the 8 digit of the date. Obverse 19 has acquired a light clash mark in front of the eye of Miss Liberty from a clashing event with Reverse S.
Obverse 19.2: Obverse 19 has developed moderately heavy die flow lines, rim breakage between 9:30 and 12:00 and the following die cracks:
1. Die crack from the denticles at 2:15 upward, connecting the tops of 'OF (A)MERICA.
2. Die crack connecting the tops of 'A(MERIC)A'.
3. Die crack from the rim at 4:15 downward through the 2 of the date and intersecting with die crack #4.
4. Die crack from the denticles at 5:45 connects the bases of the 1 and 8 of the date and exits at the denticles at 7:00.
5. Die crack from the denticles at 9:45 downward, connecting the tops of 'UNITED' through the bust point and into the top of the 8 of the date.
6. Die crack connects the tops of '(STA)TES'.
Obverse 19.3: The die cracks of Obverse 19 are more severe in general compared to the Obverse 19.2 Die State and additional rim breakage has occurred above 'S(T)ATES'. In addition, Obverse 19 has acquired additional clash marks at much more pressure than was the case during the previous clashing event between Obverse 19 and Reverse S.

Reverse S is rotated 7 degrees clockwise and has acquired a light clash mark through (C)ENT from a clashing event with Obverse 19.
Reverse. S.2: Reverse S has developed moderately heavy die flow lines and the following die cracks:
1. Die crack from the rim at 12:45 into the upper right side of the shield.
2. Die crack from the middle right side into the top of the right wreath.
3. Die crack from the rim at 1:00 downward through the right wreath.
4. Die crack from the rim at 3:00 downward through the right wreath and through the middle and lower arrowheads.
5. Die crack from the ribbon knot and into the olive leaves.
6. Die crack from the denticles at 8:15 into the olive leaves.
7. Die crack within the the left wreath between 8:30 and 9:30.
8. Die crack from the rim at 10:30 downward through the outer edge of the left wreath to a point at 9:30.
Reverse S.3: The die cracks of Reverse S are more severe in general compared to the Reverse S.2 Die State. In addition, Reverse S has acquired additional clash marks at much more pressure than was the case during the previous clashing event between Obverse 19 and Reverse S.

Comments: The misplaced digit of Obverse 19 is most likely the 2 of an initial digit punch impression that was far to the southwest with respect to the final date placement.

Variety 17 was first identified by Ed Nathanson. Ed's coin is the discovery piece and plate coin for the Snow 16 Die Pairing in Rick Snow's attribution guide. Ed was extremely kind in allowing me to use his images to illustrate Variety 17 for this book.

During the latter part of 2018, David Killough submitted a later die state of Variety 17 that exhibited numerous die cracking of Obverse 19 and Reverse S. David's submission provided an opportunity to photograph the Obverse 19 and Reverse S clash marks and to also measure the die rotation of Variety 17, which was previously impossible due to the fact that I had only images from Ed Nathanson's example. The 7 degree rotation of Variety 17 is a static rotational attribute of the die pairing and the Obverse 19 / Reverse S clashing occurred during this static rotation.

During early July 2026, David Killough submitted the Variety 17a Plate Coin, which represents an interim die state.

Plate Coin (Variety 17): Images courtesy of Ed Nathanson, AU58 (Snow 16 Plate Coin)
Plate Coin (Variety 17a): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, MS63BN
Plate Coin (Variety 17b): Courtesy of David Killough Collection, AU58

Die States For 1892 Variety 17

VARIETY 17 OBVERSE 19 REVERSE S
VARIETY 17a OBVERSE 19.2 REVERSE S.2
VARIETY 17b OBVERSE 19.3 REVERSE S.3