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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;KBBPLL, post: 6552477, member: 104064&quot;]With his permission to quote:</p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;FMTM starts roughly with 1836 - the big year of Peale&#039;s innovations. Earlier, individual punches were used, which evolved into small gang punches and other details. This is why there is so much variation in early dies. As working methods evolved master dies were built up using matrix or logo punches instead of individual letters or words. Alignment jigs also helped keep inscriptions aligned and letters straight.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Philadelphia Mint had individual letter and logo punches in use into the 20th century. These were used to prepare new master dies, retouch hubs, and even strengthen individual letters on working dies.</p><p><br /></p><p>Records going back into the 18th century record payments to individual letter punch makers for sets of punches of various designs and sizes. So.....Yes, a full range of letter punches were available and used at the Philadelphia Mint. The disproportionately large &quot;O&quot; mintmark suggests an existing punch was used.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>He also asks for feedback if anything in FMTM is confusing.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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