Comments: This is a rare date placement variety for the 1867 date.

The Obverse 1 date is positioned slight lower and further left than on Obverse 2. The pendant is directly above the inner edge of the left upright of the 6 digit. For this variety, Greer states "Ahwash listed these as business strikes, but those I have seen have had proof characteristics". Kam Ahwash first identified this variety during 1977 and reported its existence in the Gobrecht Journal, from an example owned by Andrew Mesaros. The above plate coin was purchased from the website of a major internet auction house and has been certified Proof 63 by PCGS.

Bright light inspection exposes brilliant watery fields that are consistent with a proof strike. However, the motifs were weakly cut on the working dies with shallow relief of Liberty, legend, and portions of the reverse wreath. One can see the confusion with proof or circulation strike assignment by the expert researchers. My theory is that the 1867 F-101 die variety was struck by dies intended for circulation strikes but utilizing polished planchets for the proof strikes of that year. The device details are too weak to be double struck as was the case for proof strike of that period.

This variety should carry a premium for its rarity regardless of the questions concerning its proof or circulation strike origin.

1867 Varieties 101, 102, 103

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