Seated dimes: 2nd obverse die identified for 1872 180 Deg DDR
Dismeguy
Posts: 496 ✭✭✭
This is why I've learned to never take a known variety for granted....
Recently a well known seated dealer sent me an 1872 seated dime with the now famous 180 Deg DDR. The dime was all of EF45 and what I thought was an early die state with no die clashing on the obverse. This observation sparked my interest for a closer look and a comparison against my NGC61 plate coin. Well guess what? The die lathe or polish lines are completely different on both specimens. A close look at the date position revealed that they are very similar but positioned differently. The date is a tad more left on the specimen with the new obverse and has a slight upward slope. So the new specimen was actually a new obverse paired with a later die state DDR reverse.
Now the million dollar question for this variety? Why does every example have a blob or partial head. Why would an obverse paired with this DDR reverse always produce a partial head on Liberty? Does anyone in the forum have an example with a fully struck head?
Here are pictures. First up is the new specimen, with a later die state DDR reverse with Obverse #1
Now the earlier die state with Obverse #2, note the difference in the date position (it has a bit more downward slope) and the additional die defects between the base and UNITED and rim. The clashing of both dies occured during this pairing.
This new die pair will be added to the web-book at www.seateddimevarieties.com in a day or two..... this is why I love to research and collect varieties....never take a coin for granted as it may surprise you if you take the time to study it closely.
Gerry
Recently a well known seated dealer sent me an 1872 seated dime with the now famous 180 Deg DDR. The dime was all of EF45 and what I thought was an early die state with no die clashing on the obverse. This observation sparked my interest for a closer look and a comparison against my NGC61 plate coin. Well guess what? The die lathe or polish lines are completely different on both specimens. A close look at the date position revealed that they are very similar but positioned differently. The date is a tad more left on the specimen with the new obverse and has a slight upward slope. So the new specimen was actually a new obverse paired with a later die state DDR reverse.
Now the million dollar question for this variety? Why does every example have a blob or partial head. Why would an obverse paired with this DDR reverse always produce a partial head on Liberty? Does anyone in the forum have an example with a fully struck head?
Here are pictures. First up is the new specimen, with a later die state DDR reverse with Obverse #1
Now the earlier die state with Obverse #2, note the difference in the date position (it has a bit more downward slope) and the additional die defects between the base and UNITED and rim. The clashing of both dies occured during this pairing.
This new die pair will be added to the web-book at www.seateddimevarieties.com in a day or two..... this is why I love to research and collect varieties....never take a coin for granted as it may surprise you if you take the time to study it closely.
Gerry
Gerry Fortin's Rare American Coins Online Storefront and Liberty Seated Dime Varieties Web- Book www.SeatedDimeVarieties.com Buying and Selling all Seated Denominations....
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Comments
siliconvalleycoins.com
Yes, the 1872 date is full of surprises even after all these years of study
The discovery of the second obverse die gives me some hope that my super secret Plan B might have some merit. You see, I've also been looking at 1871 and 1873 half dimes in case any of them were paired with the DDR. How has it worked so far? Well I wouldn't give secret this away if I were even remotely successful at it. I'm sharing it now because I'd love to be proved correct for once.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
It was considered more of an oddity at the time.
The 1872 -1876 era was the golden age of the HUGE dates in nearly every series including the seated liberty dimes. I thought they were the best looking seated dimes of all.