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1872
Variety 105
Obverse 5: Medium Level Date, Die Defect Left of Base, Clashed Die
Reverse E.2: Doubled Die Reverse, Rotated 175 Degrees, Clashed Die
Obverse 5 Reverse E.2
Obverse Diagnostic Point(s) Reverse Diagnostic Point(s)
Comments: A spectacular doubled die error on the reverse of an 1872 dime was discovered by Dave Thomas during April 1999 and published in the Gobrecht Journal by Tom DeLorey in July 2003. The reverse die was hubbed twice with the second hubbing being rotated approximately 175 degrees from the initial hubbing. The plate coin was purchased raw on eBay for $825 within a few months of the discovery announcement at the 2003 FUN show. Shortly afterwards, another EF example, with minor problems, appeared on eBay and brought approximately $400. Currently, Variety 105 examples are market priced in the range of $650 (VF20), $1000 (EF40) and $2000 (AU) with demand remaining strong for this bold double die reverse variety.
Both the obverse and reverse dies are heavily clashed. Cherry picking this variety is fairly easy. All examples seen have a flat head. On the reverse, there are two major diagnostics. The first is the heavily doubled region between DIM(E) and the right wreath. Do not mistake this region as die clashing. Secondly, doubling is clearly seen within the inner loop of (D)IME and above O(NE).
Doubled die Reverse E is paired with a second obverse die. This die pairing is labeled as Variety 115. During this die pairing Reverse E is in an early die state.
Please note that only the Variety 105 version of this doubled die reverse is included in the Top 100 Varieties set since it was the initial discovery die pairing coinciding with the release of the Top 100 Variety set during 2003.
Plate Coin: G. Fortin Collection, NGC MS61