1888 IHC SN-4 Cherry Pick

maddoe

I recently picked up this beautiful 1888 IHC that I think would classify as a Snow-4. I’ve not been able to find any pictures online of any other high quality examples of that variety but this one has some other characteristics I’ve not seen on the other examples I have found and hopefully y’all can tell me what I’m seeing, if anything.

1. The tip of the bust appears to have a partial 1 on it. Maybe the bottom right portion of the base of a 1?

2. Between the date and denticles there are other marks that look like very light imprints of 8’s.

I apologize for the picture quality. It’s the best I can do with what I have (iPad pro 2022 and iPhone 12 Pro Max). Obviously, I can see them and can pick them out of the picture easily because I know they are there. I can try marking up a photo if none of you are able to make them out. In the right light you can see them with the naked eye. It could be these are all known characteristics of the variety but I haven’t found pics of one anywhere close to the quality of mine to verify against. All of the marks in questions are raised, not “cut” into the surface of the coin. It takes the right light to make that determination as well but I’m 100% certain they are raised and marks on the coin rather than into the coin if I’m making sense.

Anyway, thank you in advance for your help. I’m welcome to suggestions on how to better capture an image of the coin.

Bigbuck1975

Looks right to me. Here’s a close up of the variety

seanq

I can definitely see the date repunching in your image, as well as what looks to me like the base of a misplaced 1 above the third gem from the left in the necklace. I have seen a similar misplaced date, I think maybe it was dated 1883, it would be worth comparing your coin to that known variety.

Sean Reynolds

jesbroken

Your coin is an S-4 variety 18/18. From Rick Snow's Variety attribution book Volume II. If you plan on collecting Indian Cents, it is a must have. Also, in the future please provide complete photos of both obverse and reverse of the coin as the reverse may(and in this case) offer assistance in determining variety.
Jim

oih82w8

I think you are onto something there. Nice looking IHC!

jesbroken

Also, I do not think their is a 1 on the tip of the bust. I think a minor anomaly. I'm not sure what is in the denticles dead center between the 1st and 2nd 8.There are so many 1888's with 8's in the denticles that it is very possible, but not sure from the photo. Also, your 3rd 8 should have some duplicate 8 images on the inner right side, but cannot tell from your photo and you enlargement left the 3rd 8 off. Very nice example of an S-4. Should you have it entombed then send it to Eagle Eye should you want further info from the best in Indians.
Jim

maddoe

Thank you for the comments. Here is the reverse.

jesbroken

Notice your olive leaf points and Shield points are well away from the denticles. Normal 1888 below from CoinFacts.
Jim

maddoe

I tried using my Apple Pencil to outline the marks in question. They are much easier to see in hand. There also appears to be something in the 3rd & 4th bead of the necklace that I didn’t mention earlier but someone else noticed it. I circled that area. It may be that all SN-4’s have these markings/characteristics but they’re only visible on high grade specimens. I’ve scoured the internet and not yet found an example of equal or greater quality to verify.

Yes @jesbroken, I intend on sending to our host for encapsulation and Mr. Snow for verification. I’m certainly no expert but I expect it to grade well as it is the nicest IHC I’ve ever had the opportunity of owning. Although BN, it has amazing luster/cartwheel and is absolutely gorgeous in hand. Worth every penny of the $15 I paid for it. I picked it with a 1889 RB, 1892 RB and 1893 RB for less than $90. I believe all will grade 63 or higher.

maddoe

@jesbroken said:
Notice your olive leaf points and Shield points are well away from the denticles. Normal 1888 below from CoinFacts.
Jim

I did not notice that before. What’s that mean?

maddoe

@jesbroken said:
Notice your olive leaf points and Shield points are well away from the denticles. Normal 1888 below from CoinFacts.
Jim

This is the reverse of another SN-4 from 1888 I found online that has the same/similar spacing.

jesbroken

@EagleEye Maybe Rick would take a look at this 1888 IHC. That would be great.

I saw the item you circled it and immediately considered it to be a strike thru, but did not check any further. Rick lists an MS65RB and 2@MS64RB coins alive, so there are more. Hope he sees this, as their is a lot going on with this coin. Noticed your die clash(possibly), but didn't mention it as it appeared not to have to do with the doubled date. Rick's coin has something going on in among the pearls, but what I'm not qualified to say for sure.
Jim

ricko

That is a really nice IHC with several interesting issues. When you send it to Rick Snow, he will let you know the correct identification. If you are interested in IHC's, you should get his book. Well worth the investment. Let us know how it all turns out. Cheers, RickO

cheezhed

What a wonderful variety!

maddoe

@ricko said:
That is a really nice IHC with several interesting issues. When you send it to Rick Snow, he will let you know the correct identification. If you are interested in IHC's, you should get his book. Well worth the investment. Let us know how it all turns out. Cheers, RickO

Thanks RickO - will do!

maddoe

@cheezhed said:
What a wonderful variety!

Thank you!