Obverse 3

The 1 in the date is positioned about equally distant between the rock and the denticles. Top of the 1 straddles the shield point, and is further left than found on Obverse 2.

Vertically centered date slightly to the left

There is a diamond-shaped gouge in the ribbon below the hand, and left of the L in LIBERTY.

Diamond-shaped gouge

Date Position: M 2.5, 0.50 mm

Reverse B (Reverse B of 1875-P)

Despite die wear since its use in 1875, the top of the diagonal gouge is visible left of the denticle next to the second T in STATES.

Diagonal die gouge left of denticle

Horizontal die file lines are found just to the left of the claw and tail feathers. They may be harder to see on lower-grade specimens. These may also be seen with die rust.

Horizontal die file lines

Comments: This die pair was initially utilized for proofs, and it is also believed that circulation strikes (or very poorly-made proofs) were made from this die pair at a future time. This is the only use of both the obverse and reverse dies, although it is very likely that this same die pair was utilized later in a re-marriage (see below).

Some of these coins also exhibit some degree of die rotation, with up to 30-degrees counterclockwise observed so far.

Scarcity: This marriage appears from time to time as proofs, but we believe a small number of circulation strikes (very seldom seen) exist, despite all known examples so far being certified as proofs. See explanation below. Rarity rating: R-4.

It is clear that the 1876-P BF-3 die marriage was utilized to strike proof coins. Among these initial strikes, the coins are clearly proofs, with a normal reverse. The strike is moderately strong, with nearly full stars on the right side of the obverse. What is not clear, however, is whether the remaining coins, believed to have been struck at a later time after the reverse die had rusted, are circulation strikes or poorly made proofs.

These later coins have very weak stars on the right side of the obverse, and only a modest strike on the reverse. The confusion exists because all of these poorly-made coins seen so far have been found in proof holders from the major grading services. These coins, despite being very proof-like, do not exhibit any other proof properties, such as sharp rims or fullystruck details. The authors believe these are, in fact, a small number of proof-like circulation strikes.

Coins with strong obverse stars and a normal reverse are from the original marriage. Those with weak obverse stars on the right, and rust on the reverse, are from the remarriage.

Original and re-marriage scarcity: Coins from the original die marriage (clearly proofs) are available with some looking. The poorly-made coins with reverse die rust that represent possible circulation strikes are rare, with only a few seen so far.

Weakly-struck right obverse stars

Note, the example pictured above was cleaned, but shows no wear.

The heavily re-polished reverse die from 1875 still shows the original horizontal die file marks next to the eagle’s tail feathers.

Little or no rust on reverse die file lines or feathers

The original horizontal die file marks are now seen through die rust. The die rust also appears in the eagle’s feathers.

Die rust on file lines and feathers

BF-3 Photo credits: The photo showing the strong stars on the Original Marriage BF-3 is courtesy of Heritage Auctions. The other photos were taken by the authors.

Other BF-3 credits: Donald Babiec provided the more attractive of the BF-3R examples for photography.