Comparison of Mintmark Positions

Reverse D [mm Rt,H)                           Reverse G [mm C,H]

Comments: This variety has been an enigma for the author. During the late 1990s, Kevin Zeitler on behalf of Jack Marston presented an 1839-O dime with Obverse 3 and what appeared to be a different reverse die than the common Obverse 3:Reverse D die pairing. At the time, my imaging capabilities were not sophisticated and hesitated to list this variety due to lack of a second confirming specimen. Time went by with the web-book's release in 2005 without this rare die pairing variety. Recently, Jack Marston and I started direct contact and he suggested I take another careful look at his 1839-O dime and also provided images of a second confirming specimen he purchased via eBay during 2008. Based on the present review of Jack's 1839-O dime, I am convinced of a second die pairing with Obverse 3. The new reverse die is labeled Reverse H.

Obverse 3 is easily diagnosed by Star 1 close to rock and the date is medium distance from the base and level. There are no rim cuds on the plate coin. Die cracks connect Stars 1-7 on the Marston coin consistent with Variety 105b obverse die state.

Reverse H presents a Large O mintmark that is centered in the horizontal direction and high in the vertical direction. The mintmark on Reverse D is positioned more to the right than Reverse H. Traces of a die crack from rim to AMERIC(A) is also noted.

At this time, there are no other die pairings known during 1839 or 1840 with Reverse H. More research is required.

Plate Coin: Courtesy of Jack Marston Collection, VF 35