Two Feather Varieties

1919 Two Feathers

1919                                          Two Feathers                             FS-401                    38448

I purchased the above coin raw and attributed on the bid board at a local brick and mortar coin dealer. It is now graded VF35 and attributed Two Feathers variety by PCGS. I own a second 1919 2F, graded F15 attributed 2F by PCGS. I now also own a 1919 2F graded NGC AU58 but unattributed. It will be going to PCGS. And I own two other  raw 1919 2Fs, both in Fine, more or less.  They do not all appear to have been struck from the same pair of dies. But the story is not clear – your thoughts would be appreciated.

The 1919 Two Feather often has a very dim remnant of the third feather as on this example. All of mine do and therefore are not pure. Pope reports that there are pure 1919 2Fs.

Die 1. Coin 1. 1919 2F PCGS VF35. The Mint did a good job removing the third feather, but if you tilt the coin just right you can see an island of material left behind. There are wipe lines that run roughly parallel to the long feather across the entire face of the coin.

On the obverse there is evidence of an under the chin die clash. However, it is a little different. Instead of seeing an impression of part of EPU, a smooth curve is present, undoubtedly due to a die clash or abrading away a clash. Abrading also has changed the curve of the neck. The white line outlines the normal path of the neck.

On the reverse, a clash with EPU is apparent. The vertical section runs out the top of the L in PLURIBUS tilted slightly toward the E while the horizontal section runs very near the base of PLURIBUS.

Die 1. Coin 2. 1919 2F PCGS VF15. Same die, similar features. Similar missing feather, modified throat/neck, and EPU clash. This coin does not appear to have any wipe lines.

Die 1. Coin 3. 1919 2F Raw Fine. Same obverse die – similar missing feather and modified throat/neck. However, on the reverse there is no evidence of an EPU die clash or one that had been effaced. Perhaps the reverse die was changed.

Die 1? Coin 4. 1919 2F Raw Fine. Comparatively speaking, this is the most “normal” coin of the lot. While it is missing a feather (with a similar island), there is no modified throat and no die clash in the area of EPU. Perhaps this is the earliest die state coin of them all?

 

Die 2? Coin 1. 1919 2F, unattributed NGC AU58. I believe this coin is from the same pair of dies as the coin pictured in The CherryPickers’ Guide. Besides the mostly missing feather, it has a weak but wide F as in Cherry Pickers.There is no evidence of a die clash on the obverse although there are some abrasion lines and the shape of the neck-throat-chin area may be a bit abnormal. If there was die clash the Mint did an excellent job cleaning it up.

The reverse shows no indication of a die clash or a clash removal. However, it does appear to have die doubling on EPU! Note the loop of the P. The width at the top of the loop is greater than the width at the bottom. Similarly, the width of the leg of the L may be greater than normal. Next to the image is one of a more normal appearing EPU from a three feather 1919, MS66. This could be the double die reverse reported in The Authoritative Reference on Buffalo Nickels. Astute observers will also note that the same (weak) evidence of EPU die doubling appears to be present on the reverse of the first two Die 1 coins! Interesting.

 

What to look for.

The missing third feather is the primary and only significant feature to look for.

Leave a Reply