Die Varieties of the 1870 Penny

For the 1870 penny there are four die varieties consisting of four obverse dies and one reverse die. The differences can be noted in the date and the repunching of various letters.

1870 Penny
Obverse	Reverse

Obverse 1:
- The spacing between the eight and the seven is 0.81 mm.
- The seven and the zero are out of alignment.
- Digits have been repunched.
- Repunched zero
Obverse 2:
- The spacing between the eight and the seven is 0.91 mm.
- The seven and the zero are slightly out of alignment.
Obverse 3:
- The spacing between the eight and the seven is 0.79 mm.
- The seven and the zero are in alignment.
- The zero is an upright position.
Obverse 4S:
- The spacing between the eight and the seven is 0.74 mm.
- The seven and the zero are slightly out of alignment.
- Striations are visible.
Obverse 5:
- The spacing between the eight and the seven is 0.85 mm.
- The seven and the zero are slightly out of alignment.
- Striations are visible.

Reverse A:
- There is only one die.

For more close up images of this coin,
see under the microscope page.

	The spacings are measured between the digits.

Obverse Dies: The Date
Large Spacing between the 8 and the 7 The 7 and 0 are out of alignment Repunched zero
Large Spacing between the 8 and the 7 The 7 and 0 are in alignment
Small Spacing between the 8 and the 7 The 7 and 0 are in alignment The zero is an upright position.
Small Spacing between the 8 and the 7 The 7 and 0 are out of alignment
Large Spacing between the 8 and the 7 The 7 and 0 are out of alignment