Owner Comments:
The 1866 is the most available of the early Dineros in better grades, along with the 1875. This isn't to say that nice Uncirculated examples are very common, however. Not many mint state examples have been graded, although the (overly) low book value for this date may turn some people against the grading fee. In circulated grades the 1866 Dinero is the most common early date, and one of the most common dates of all Dineros; many examples are always on the market. Nice XF/AU examples can be found for a very reasonable cost. Myriad dies were used this year, but the main varieties are fairly simple to organize.
Flatt reports the following:
1. Y. B small "O" in DINO (I have seen with "straight" and inclined 66)
2. Y. B large "O" in DINO, small bar beneath (I have seen with "straight" 66)
3. Y. B large "O" in DINO, long bar beneath (I have seen with "straight" 66 and a misshapen "O")
4. Y. B inclined 6's, small "O" in DINO
5. Y. B inclined 6's, large "O" in DINO (I have seen many with a larger second 6)
6. Y.B Low N/N in Peruana (I have not seen)
7. Y.B Filled "O" in DINO (I have seen with a "straight" 6, small "O", often with a patch of reflective luster around "1" in date and one with final 6 wide)
8. Y.B Wide 6 in date, distinct forelegs (I have seen many, but not sure about distinct forelegs, there are variations in the shape of the final 6)
9. Y.B Roman "1" in date, small "O" in DINO (I have not seen)
Krause adds:
10. 1866/5
I am not sure this is actually an 1866/5 rather than an 1866 with the final 6 re-punched. Die cracks often seen through the date.
Additionally I have found:
11. Filled O/O in DINO. 66 inclined. Often weakly struck letters and die cracks in date.
12. Small O/O in DINO with inclined 66.
13. First 6 re-punched and tilted to right. Large "O" with long bar.
14. Re-punched 8 and slightly re-punched first 6.
Discussion: At the end of the day, most of these varieties are minor, and many of the above are not mutually exclusive. I am not attempting a complete "Overton" type listing by individual die, as there are likely 20+ dies per side employed in this year. Quantifying the size of the "O" in DINO is non-scientific, as many different size punched were used. I have also seen thin and thick "1's" in the date used. Almanzar/Seppa mention a "crude die". I'm not sure which if any of the varieties above they are referring to.
A short set to show basic varieties could be as follows:
1. 1866/5 (or repunched final 6)
2. Re-punched first 6
3. "66" straight
4. "66" inclined
5. Roman "1" (I have not seen)
6. Wide last six
One in AU 55 at NGC (1866/5), MS 62 at NGC, one in 63 at NGC, two in 64 at NGC and one at PCGS, one in 65 at NGC. Seven total graded, six in mint state, one in Gem.
The set specimen is tied with two others for second finest, one higher. The fields are clean and highly lustrous. A blast white coin. #7 above with filled "O" and a patch of reflective luster around the "1" in the date.