1865 Plain 5-z
Example AM05:
2c 1865 Plain 5 “-z” XF40 a really nice looking example of a very rare unpublished variety.
Obv:
Date is positioned high and tilted up to the right.
Center of the ball is over the left side of the 6 between those curves.
The top of the 6 is much closer to the ball.
The bottom of the 1 is a little closer to the top of the denticles than the bottom of the 5.
Other diagnostics: The top left serif of the first 1 is repunched North a little.
There are two die clash marks between the left banner and the shield in the fields below IN and the left fold. There is a die line under the D from the left base to the fold in the left banner.
Rev:
The reverse has the top serif of the D missing.
Other diagnostics: No cracks are seen around the legend.
Horizontal shield line clash marks are seen behind the lower left of the 2 and CEN.
Die Stage:
In a Mid Die Stage with some clashing.
The die has failed at the base of the S in CENTS.
Scarcity: Only 3 examples have been found by the collector during 35+ years of looking, this makes this variety very rare. If any others are found we would certainly like to know.
General comments: This is an opportunity to get an example of a very rare unlisted variety that is also a really nice example.
Many enjoy collecting the varieties of other series and the collecting of “Deuces” – Two Cent Pieces by variety is now becoming a field of study that may be of interest to the collector wanting a little bit extra.