FACTS:
The Indian Cent (designed by James Longacre) was first minted in 1859 with a copper-nickel metal content, but no shield on the reverse. The metal content remained the same as the 1859 from 1860-1864, but a shield was added to the reverse of the coin.
The metal content was changed to 95% copper and 5% Zinc from 1864-1909, and the design remained unchanged. The lone exception is the 1864 Bronze (95% copper and 5% zinc/tin) and this date has a variety known as 1864 L, with the L representing the designer's initials. All coins where minted at the Philadelphia Mint and have no mint mark except for the 1908-S and 1909-S, which are the only dates struck in the San Francisco Mint.
Cherry Picker's List:
Key Dates-Varieties and Semi-Key Dates:
1860 Broad Bust T 2
1860 Narrow Bust
1864 Initial “L”
1867/7 Picture
1869/9
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873 Closed “3”
1873 Doubled liberty die 1 bold
1873 Open 3
1876
1877
1878
1886 Feather between I and C
1886 Feather between C and A
1887/7
1888/7
1894/94
1908-S
1909-S
The Indian Cent varieties are numerous and the above list should not be considered complete. One should always look for doubling of design features, repunched dates, over dates, die clashes, misplaced dates, etc. of which may signal a "variety" find.
INDIAN CENT 1859-1909
SPECIFICATIONS:
1859 Indian Cent
Designer: James B. Longacre
Diameter: 19 millimeters
Metal content:
Copper - 88%
Nickel - 12%
Weight: 72 grains (4.67 grams)
Edge: Plain
SPECIFICATIONS:
Designer: James B. Longacre
Diameter: 19 millimeters
Metal content:
Copper - 95%
Tin and Zinc - 5%
Weight: 3.11 grams
Edge: Plain
Broad Bust Type 2
Shield Reverse
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