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CHECK REVERSE DIE:
The reverse of the coin shows both the denomination and the date of issue, as well as the singular characteristics that separate it from all other reverse.
1. Examine the ornaments at either side of the date, and determine their style.
1914: Five Ornament Styles.
1915: Two Ornament Styles.
Determining the Ornament Style will limit the number of possible obverse dies to those known to have been paired to that style. |
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Having identified both the obverse and reverse dies used to strike the coin in hand, attribution is complete.
Detailed examples of each die variety are shown in the appropriate denomination/date of the coins listed below. |
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SITE DIRECTORY
5 & 10 HOME PAGE
Method
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ATTRIBUTION METHOD
Attribution of the 10 centavos pieces is the simplest, since they were produced in only one year (1915) using one obverse die (A) and four reverse dies (1 through 4). Consequently, one need only differentiate the four reverse dies to find the combination on hand. Attribution of the 10 centavos pieces is described beginning on the following page.
Attribution of the 5 centavos pieces is considerably more complicated. The 5 centavos were produced in two years, 1914 and 1915.
Those pieces from 1914 were produced using ten obverse dies (A through J) and twenty-three reverse dies (1 through 23). The resulting number of die pairings for 1914 was thirty. Each pairing has been assigned a “VRW number” (1 through 30) in accordance with the original survey of die pairings published by Mr. Verne R. Walrafen in 1994.
The 1914 5 centavos are seen with five distinct types of ornament at either side of the date, one of which is unique to a single die combination. This enables the attributor to sort these coins by ornament style, reducing the possible number of die combinations with which he or she must deal.
Once sorted by ornament style, the obverse of the coin is studied to determine which of the possible obverse dies is in hand. Identifying the obverse die further limits the number of possible reverse dies to be dealt with.
Finally, the reverse die is identified out of the possibilities available, and attribution is complete.
The pieces produced in 1915 used only three obverse dies (J through L) and twenty reverse dies (24 through 43), resulting in twenty-two die pairings (31 through 52). These are seen with only two distinct ornament types, one of which is unique to a single die pairing. The same sequence of followed as for the 1914 5 centavos. The obverse die is identified, and then the reverse die is found among those paired with that obverse.
With both the 5 and 10 centavos pieces, die combinations are denoted by obverse die letter and reverse die number (e.g. A:1, J:23, etc.).
You will require the a magnifier of at least 10-power to discover all of the peculiarities listed in this guide.
POINTS and SEQUENCE OF ATTRIBUTION: |
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RETURN TO REVERSE DIE:
Having narrowed the possible choices of reverse dies to those associated only with the obverse die in hand, attribution becomes a relatively simple process of elimination to find the reverse die.
5. Examine the legend EJERCITO CONSTITUCIONALISTA, and the central devices (the denomination number and the centavos symbol) for die-cutter’s errors. Be aware that in late strikes from dies that have seen hard use, some of these errors may fade to almost nonexistent.
6. In some instances, it is useful to note the relationship of the “/” in the “¢” symbol and its position with respect to the U of CONSTITUCIONALISTA, and the date and ornaments below.
7. In fewer instances, the number of “shading” lines in the sections of the top section of the “/” are diagnostic for dies which do not exhibit distinctive die cutting errors. All lines are counted, both full lines and partial ones, to arrive at the total. |
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CHECK OBVERSE DIE:
By determining the obverse die that was used, we further limit the number of reverse dies with which it was known to be paired.
2. Examine the relationship of the legend REPUBLICA MEXICANA - E. DE CHIHA to the tips of the horizontal rays (left and right) of the “cap and rays” device.
3. Examine the legend REPUBLICA MEXICANA - E. DE CHIHA for die-cutter’s errors. Many obverse dies have distinctive errors in placement or punching of elements of the die design. These can be used to further identify the die variety in hand.
Mr. Walrafen detailed differences in the folds of the liberty cap in the central device, and these are, indeed, distinctive for each obverse die. The difference are, in general, so subtle that I have chosen not to include them. They can be seen in Mr. Walrafen’s referenced booklet.
4. Examine the relationship of the name SALAZAR to the bottom ray of the “cap and rays” device. Be aware that in some obverse dies (G and H, for example) this feature was poorly cut and as a result did not transfer fully to the struck coins. Examples with considerable wear may also make identification of this feature difficult. |
