Q. David Bowers
1801 Obverse Die
The obverse of the 1801 novodel is anomalous. The stylistic differences between this issue and the novodels of 1802-3-4 are several and are important. One can conclude that this die was made casually, without any special effort to imitate an original die of the 1801 era.
The 1801 has curved-top l's in date, quite unlike the straight-top l's of the early 1800s. The stars on the 1801 are entirely unlike any used on original early silver dollars or the novodels of 1802-3-4. On the 1801, the stars do not have narrow, somewhat delicate points. Instead, the stars are, as Newman and Bressett relate, heavy with 60° angles to the points, somewhat like a traditional Star of David. Viewed from the top, each star seems to be composed of six diamond-shaped "pieces" fitted into a star-shaped pattern, much as might be seen in a puzzle or Pennsylvania Dutch hex sign (this distinction is more obvious in the seeing than in the telling). The result is that to the eye the stars on the 1801 novo del appear heavier and more solid.
The letters in LIBERTY are more angular, without curves to the inside of the serifs. A different letter punch font was used to make the obverse of the 1801 novodel, in contrast to the traditional, early font (with curves to the inside of the serifs) employed on the novodels of 1802-3-4.
In addition, the obverse die has these characteristics: On the left, the stars are fairly evenly spaced, with excellent alignment of the star points. On the right, the star spacing is also of a high order, except that stars 11 and 12 are slightly closer together than are the other pairs. The alignment of the star points is excellent. The letters in LIBERTY are well spaced and aligned. The obvious conclusion is that the die represents the work of a skilled craftsman.
As is the case with all 1801-2-3-4 novodels, the denticles on the borders are bead-like (rather than the tooth-like style used in the early 1800s).
The left tip of the highest curl is missing, a flaw caused by a broken portrait punch. This flaw also is represented on the 1804 novodels, but not the 1802 and 1803.
DIE STATES (obverse and reverse die states):
Die State I: Obverse without cracks. Reverse with tiny crack through NITED to wing tip. May not exist with perfect obverse die.
Die State II: Crack from below bust through the bottom of the date through the stars on the left (description from Newman-Bressett, 1962). Reverse with hairline crack from top right serif of, sloping slightly downward through ITED, and ending at the bottom of the leftmost wing tip feather Cf. Newcomer specimen.
Die State III: Additional crack from below right side of bust, through the date, and continuing through stars 1 through 8. Reverse with new (and fatal) crack from bottom border, through eagle's claw and arrows, left side of shield, to eagle's breast. Cf. Carter specimen. This state undoubtedly represents the last striking of any 1801-2-3-4 novodel from this reverse die.
Note: All known 1801 and 1803 Proof dollars (but not 1802 or 1804) have a small linear depression in the space between UM in UNUM and.the shield from a piece of metal or other foreign material on the die face during striking, '
1802 Obverse Die
The 2 in date is curled at top, differing from any original 1802 obverse, and of the same "fancy" or curlicue style seen on certain 1820 half dollars (but half dollar dies were made from a smaller punch). Star 1 is about the same distance from the second curl as star 7 is from L. The star positioning is cruder than any original dollar of this date. On stars 1 to 7, all points closest to adjacent stars are misaligned! Obviously, whoever made this die was not accustomed to this work. On the right, the stars are aligned better, but this is ruined by something else that never occurred on an original of this date: stars 12 and 13 are so dose that they actually touch at their inner points! One is tempted to speculate that as the 1802 and 1803 obverses were the first novodels made, this, 1802 was the very first, and represented the die cutter "warming up."
Highest curl centered below the E in LIBERTY.
Raised border with dentides made up of truncated bead-like denticles quite unlike the tooth-like denticles of original dollars of the Draped Bust type. Original 1, 8,and '0 punches from the early 1800s were used to make the die. Digit 2 copied from one of the "fancy 2" digits usedon half dollars of the 1820s, as noted. Perfect die without cracks.
The top left curl tip is intact on the 1802 (and 1803) novodels, whereas on the 1801 and 1804 issues it is missing (due to hub damage). Thus, the 1802 and 1803 dies were made before the others. Possibly, the 1802 was made first, then the 1803.
DIE STATES (obverse and reverse die states):
Die State I: Obverse without cracks. Reverse with hairline crack from top right serif of N, sloping slightly downward through ITED, and ending at the bottom of the leftmost wing tip feather. (Cf. Cleneay and Wilharm.specimens)