1871 Indian Head Cent - Grade opinions

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redraider
redraider Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited April 14, 2026 3:45PM in U.S. Coin Forum

New raw pickup....This coin will go off to our hosts sometime in the near future. There is a little bit of weakness in LIBERTY, and the only mark to speak of is on the cheek. The obverse shows more red in hand than the photos do. This is a pretty tough coin!

What are your thoughts on the grade.


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  • coinbuf
    coinbuf Posts: 12,567 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    From only this set of photos I would call it AU58.

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  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    66

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  • Copperindian
    Copperindian Posts: 3,376 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    MS64RB. Nice one Jonathan!
    Ken

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  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    RB !

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  • oldabeintx
    oldabeintx Posts: 3,214 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    64RB, maybe BN, but I like it as RB.

  • cameonut2011
    cameonut2011 Posts: 10,878 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    64 rb

  • Lakesammman
    Lakesammman Posts: 17,696 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    64 Brown

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  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,191 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Everyone is already taking my grade! Yes, I agree with MS64RB even with the nick by the eye.

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  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,133 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I guess I’m a copycat - 64RB.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Ms 64

  • jfriedm56
    jfriedm56 Posts: 3,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I’m also in at 64RB. As rare as the ‘72 in MS64 and rarer in 65. A very tough coin!

  • 2windy2fish
    2windy2fish Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    63BN

  • Connecticoin
    Connecticoin Posts: 13,278 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    At first blush I am thinking 58 - but what looks like rub in the photos might not look like that in hand.

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  • DesertCoin
    DesertCoin Posts: 481 ✭✭✭
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    MS63BN. Mark my words. Literally, if possible. I’m curious to see the results.

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  • jdimmick
    jdimmick Posts: 9,992 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    64rb

  • redraider
    redraider Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks everyone for your input! I have the benefit of the coin in hand, and my pics are decent, but not the best!

    I personally think this will grade MS64RB as is the common consensus here. This is a pretty rare date with an even rarer variety.....the Shallow N reverse or reverse of 1869. This will probably make the top 10 census once graded for the variety!

  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    64RB, joining the group.
    Jim


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  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    An AU58 that will be graded as mint state.

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  • jedm
    jedm Posts: 3,266 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 15, 2026 9:27AM
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    I see it as many others do: 64 RB Very desirable to the right collector as the Shallow N variety as well!

  • marcmoish
    marcmoish Posts: 6,938 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    63RB

  • Connecticoin
    Connecticoin Posts: 13,278 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @redraider said:
    Thanks everyone for your input! I have the benefit of the coin in hand, and my pics are decent, but not the best!

    I personally think this will grade MS64RB as is the common consensus here. This is a pretty rare date with an even rarer variety.....the Shallow N reverse or reverse of 1869. This will probably make the top 10 census once graded for the variety!

    Ah, now I know why my snipe got blown out of the water!! :D

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  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,935 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I’ll go MS-65, R&B. The pictures are huge, and I can’t see much wrong with it except for a few tiny spots around the date and the end of “AMERICA.” Grading anything higher than MS-65 from photos is impossible.

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