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1856-O
Variety 109
Obverse 6.3: Bold Die Crack Stars 8 and 9, Medium Date, Upward Slope
Reverse A.3: Large 0, Eroded Die, Faint Die Lines Rim at (UNITED)
Obverse 6.3 Reverse A.3
Obverse Diagnostic Point(s) Reverse Diagnostic Point(s)
Comments: During August 2013, the author located a new 1856-O dime variety which was the first incremental die pairing since the web-book release in 2004. Obverse 6, previously employed to strike Medium O dimes, is paired with a very late die state Reverse A. The Large O reverse was previously seen paired with the 1856 repunched up date obverse and could be characterized by its strong die lines from UNITED to the rim.
During the Variety 109 die pairing, the Obverse 6 die crack proceeds from Star 4 through Star 5 -7, Liberty's head, Star 8, the flag and ends at Star 9. The die crack exiting Liberty's head is bold as are the multiple die cracks surrounding Star 9.
Reverse A is in an eroded late die state. The die lines between UNITED and rim are quite muted due to die erosion.
Locating this die pairing was a significant surprise to the author as all later die state Obverse 6 occurrences were previously seen paired with Medium O reverse. At the moment, this variety is consider moderately rare with R6 rarity rating.
Plate Coin: G. Fortin Collection, EF45 Details