1864 Indian Head Cent-Rotated Reverse/Copper or Bronze

Jmacd013

Hello

I came across this IHC today at a local pawn shop. They had it listed for $10, which seemed a bit high given the condition especially since I couldn’t tell if it was bronze or copper-Nickel and it was too worn to see if there was an L on the ribbon. It wasn’t until I turned it over and found the die rotation that I decided to take a chance on it.

Without weighing the coin, is there any way to tell the difference between bronze and copper-Nickel? Also, does the rotation add any premium to the coin?

CaptHenway

The weight should tell you if it is copper-nickel or bronze. The copper-nickel ones weighed 50% more than the bronze ones when both were new. The bronze ones weighed 3.1 grams when new. The copper-nickel, which this one appears to be, is around 4.65 grams.

As to the rotation, it is very common on cents of 1864. Apparently the Mint hired a die setter who could not get the hang of proper alignment.

It is not an "L." Those have a different hub with a pointed bust.

JBK

All I can add is that the CN ones are chunkier and a different color so once you see the two you will be able to distinguish easily.

Neat rotation. No idea on value but for $10 you learned a few things that will help going forward, so maybe a good investment.

Jmacd013

I will certainly weigh it when I get home. Thank you!

Jmacd013

It came in at 2.86 grams.

asheland

The white ones a significantly thicker, too.

BillJones

The color and the weigh say that this is an 1864 Bronze. The piece also looks thinner on the scale than a Copper-Nickel cent. The legal amount is 3.11 grams, and given the amount of wear, the number on the scale supports bronze.

Smudge

You are asking good questions.

Jmacd013

So I've got what appears to be a 1864 No L Bronze IHC with a rotated reverse. It sounds like the rotated dies are fairly common for this year and if I estimate the grade to be good, I have around a $10 retail coin. Does that sound about right?

CaptHenway

@Jmacd013 said:
So I've got what appears to be a 1864 No L Bronze IHC with a rotated reverse. It sounds like the rotated dies are fairly common for this year and if I estimate the grade to be good, I have around a $10 retail coin. Does that sound about right?

Yep.

ricko

@Jmacd013...Your conclusions are accurate.... and I nice example of a rotated die... Cheers, RickO