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1879
Variety 105
Obverse 5: Repunched Date, Medium Date, Slight Upward Slope, Defect Above Left Shield
Reverse E: Die Cracks Through Wreath, Die Scratches at 9:00
Obverse 5 Reverse E
Reverse Diagnostic Point(s)
Comments: A fifth 1879 obverse die was identified by Jim Smith during April, 2005. Obverse 5 was first diagnosed by date position and a die defect, but the Lemus dime (above) also revealed traces of repunching on the date digits. The date punch is positioned the furthest right of the five known obverse dies and has a Denticle Ruler measurement of DR 1L. The date has a slight upward slope. The repunching is visible on the flag of the 1 digit, within the lower oval of the 8 digit and within the upper oval and below the middle loop of the 9 digit. A die defect can found directly above the left end of the shield. This defect appears to be an extra point of the shield, however no other design elements on the obverse shown signs of die doubling. Reverse E has a parallel set of die scratches in the left wreath at about 9:00. The reverse die has a long radial die crack that starts at the right ribbon end and proceeds up through the right wreath and across into the top of the left wreath. See the illustration above. After seeing several examples of this variety since the discovery in April 2005, I've lowered the initial rarity estimate from R5 to R4.
An NGC MS68 Star PL example of Variety 105 was displayed by Heritage at the 2005 ANA sale. The lot (5853) was reserved at $5500. The reverse die crack is boldly visible on this MS68 example.
Plate Coin: G. Fortin Collection, PCGS MS66 CAC Green - Ex. Lemus