“Office Boy Reverse” Large Cent???

dan1ecu

1794 Large Cent, Office Boy Reverse

Does anyone know why this variety is called “office boy”?

Dan

Placid

K01-29 "Office boy reverse", N of ONE is first rotated 180 degrees, then corrected.
SHELDON 56, BREEN 1664.

dan1ecu

Thanks, Placid – that’s interesting. It’s hard to see on this corroded example.

Dan

Pushkin

Maybe I'm thicker than usual today - but how does Office Boy relate to a rotated N?

An old expression for a mistake or carelessness?

dan1ecu

"An old expression for a mistake or carelessness?"

I would think so. Why it's "office boy" and not "office girl" I don't know.

Dan

Pushkin

Dan,

Thanks. Always glad to have another expression that I can use to blame someone else!

Conder101

The name office boy reverse was given to this reverse die by George Clapp. Apparently from the crudeness of the engraving, even by 1794 standards, the implication was "that this one must have been done by the office boy rather than the engraving staff". (There are other flaws besides the upside down and corrected N.) As for why "office boy" rather than "office girl" this was 1794, no womens rights, no equal opportunity, no office girls. Women at the time were expected to stay home and take care of the house and kids.