J60 Restrike Die State Determination

All J60 Restrikes were struck in alignment III and, as with all other restrikes, are struck using Starry Reverse B ("The Cracked Reverse"). There are an estimated 12 to 18 known.

The emission sequence combined with auction price data shows that J58 (1836 Name Below Base) Early State pieces were struck first, followed by the Middle State J58s along with a small number of early state (States A and B) J60 Restrikes in 1862 – 1864. Since the reverse die states are about the same, it is not possible to tell which was struck first.

The emission sequence and auction data show that last (State C) J60 Restrikes were struck in 1867 to 1869, just before J62, J65, and the last striking of J58’s.

Check the photos and descriptions below and click SELECT to determine the die state. The state you select will highlight in yellow. Since the die states are all very similar, make sure you double-check the other state photos.

State A - The emission sequence combined with historical auction prices shows that these pieces were struck circa 1859 – 1864. No rust in front of face, rust patches in right field opposite hand and arm, strong reverse crack, no pits between feet of A or on base of E in STATES.

Obverse: No rust in front of face, scattered rust patches in the obverse fields, especially prominent in the right field opposite the hand and arm.

Reverse: Same as J58 State B with ITED, STATES O, and LLAR cracks perhaps a bit a bit stronger, a few small scattered rust pits. No pits between feet of A or on base of E in STATES.
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State B - The emission sequence combined with historical auction prices shows that these pieces were struck circa 1859 – 1864. Obverse polished to remove most rust, faint pit between feet A STATES (not as strong as photo), NO pits on base of E in STATES.

Obverse: Polishing eliminates most of the rust on Liberty.

Reverse: ITED, STATES O, and LLAR cracks about the same as J58 State C. Some photos show a very faint pit between feet of A in STATES, but it is not as clear as on State C.
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State C - The emission sequence combined with historical auction prices shows that these pieces were struck circa 1867 to April 1869 prior to the copper and mule Cabinet Coins, and J58 State E, which has the polished-out reverse. Rust patch in front of face as on J62 and J65, strong pit between feet A STATES, pits base of E in STATES, die scratch thru U UNITED.

Obverse: Rust patch in front of face as on J62 and J65.

Reverse: Same as middle state of J58 with ITED, STATES O, and LLAR cracks perhaps a bit a bit stronger. Small lump between feet A in STATES and a small pit under the right lower serif of E in STATES. Die scratch in U from just below inner curve of right upper serif down towards inner left lower curve. Crack from right foot of A in DOLLAR to dentil below as seen on J59, J62, J88. This crack is weakened by polishing on J108, J109, and J58 State C, clearly placing the J60 Restrikes prior to the copper and mule Cabinet Coins.
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