Lot 1211
1864 Indian Head Cent. Bronze, with "L". MS-65 Red. Full blazing red on both sides, but there is a small carbon spot just above NE of ONE on the reverse. This spot may be removable by an expert, but don't practice on a coin like this! James B. Longacre finally was allowed to put his initial on his handiwork, and the master obverse hub now included his initial "L" on the ribbon just underneath the last feather. The other change on the hub is the pointed bust on Liberty, as compared with the previous rounded bust tip on previous issues.
Although the mintage is unknown for the with "L" variety, it made up only a fraction of the years total. Always in high demand by date collectors, the "L" variety Indian Cent is one of the more challenging coins to locate in high grade of the series.
This coin is an excellent example of what can happen over time when a microscopic piece of foreign matter adheres to the surfaces. Over the span of years a toning spot appears and spreads to the surrounding areas. If caught in time, the spot can be removed easily, if more time passes the spot gets harder to remove as it gets deeper into the surface of the coin. Eventually, the spot would be permanent, and could not be removed without damaging the surface of the coin. Such work requires an expert, and countless coins have been ruined by careless cleaning or by someone removing a spot with a needle or other sharp instrument, which scratches the coins surface. The best advice on such matters is leave it to the experts.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister.
|
| |
| Realized $1,035 |
