By DB Sikes
Among the many heroes depicted in the T68 Heroes of History series, Molly Pitcher stands out, not only for her Revolutionary War legend, but for a subtle and mysterious variation that has captivated collectors for years. Known as the “Cannon Down” variant, this version of the card features altered front artwork that appears on only a limited number of examples across the known T68 back types.
This article explores what we know, what we’ve confirmed, and why this rare visual shift is one of the most sought-after anomalies in the entire set.
The Variation: Cannon Up vs. Cannon Down
At first glance, all Molly Pitcher cards may seem identical. But there are actually two distinct
front designs:
Cannon Up (Standard): The cannon next to Molly is angled upward, rising beside her and visually reinforcing her battlefield bravery.
Cannon Down (Variant): The cannon is angled downward, pointing toward the card’s lower edge.
This dramatically changes the visual tone of the image.
The difference is subtle but noticeable—and intentional. This isn’t a print defect or a trimming issue. It’s a full artwork shift, making it one of the only known illustrated front variations in the entire T68 set. Here are two of the graded Cannon down copies.
Visual Comparison
Graded copies are easy to verify. To help collectors identify this card ungraded, here is a a side-by-side comparison:
Left: Variant version (Cannon Down) Rare
Right: Standard version (Cannon Up)
Back Variants and Confirmed Appearances
The Molly Pitcher Cannon Down variation has been confirmed on the following back types:
Royal Bengals (Factory 2) (Factory 17)
Miners Extra Long and Short Cuts
Pan Handle Scrap (Blue)
It is currently unconfirmed on:
❌ Natural Leaf
No verified examples of the Cannon Down variant have been documented on Natural Leaf backs to date.
This spread across multiple brands and factories suggests that the variation was part of intentional lithographic decisions rather than a one-off production error.
Rarity and Collector Significance
As of 2025, fewer than 25 confirmed examples of the Cannon Down version are known to exist. Most have been discovered in raw, ungraded condition and shared privately among collectors or in online forums. This makes it one of the rarest true artwork variations in the T68 set.
Importantly, this is not just a factory back change—it is a visual front variation with cross- brand presence. This puts it in a category of its own for variation hunters, especially those assembling a master set or pursuing unique front-back pairings.
Final Thought
The Molly Pitcher “Cannon Down” variation remains one of the most fascinating and under-documented gems in the T68 Heroes of History series. Its subtle front design change, confirmed across multiple backs but still missing from the Natural Leaf line, adds both intrigue and rarity to any advanced collection. If you have this card—especially on a rare back—please contribute to our registry.
Collector Call to Action
Help Document This Variation
Email clear front and back scans of your Molly Pitcher card to: sikesdb3@gmail.com
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