Where exactly is the "L" on the 1864 Indian?

tigermaroo

Do you need a magnifying glass to see the "L" on the 1864 Indian? Is there some other type of indication that lets me know it is the "L" variety? I see a lot of auctions on ebay that has 1864 "L" in good condition, if it is in good condition, how do you see the "L"?

mgoodm3

See my sigline, by the bottom feather.

tjkillian

Between the ribbon on her neck, the ones with the diamonds, and the lowest feather. The L is sideways. It is supposed to be subtle.

Tom

tjkillian

Also, it is on all Indian cents from 1865 through 1909, inclusive.

Tom

CaptainRon

tigermaroo - As others have stated and shown where the L is located, and that they will appear on all coins from 65 - 09. In 1864 three types of cents were minted for circulation.
A. Copper planchet (Thick planchet like all IHC from 1859 - 1863)
B. Bronze Planchet With the L (Bronze planchets will have thickness comparable to a modern cent)
C. Bronze Planchet without the L (Much more common then the bronze with L)

If the pieces are to worn or correded in that area to determine if the L, is presant. You can also Identify them by the bust.
The pieces that have a pointed bust wil be the one With the L.

Ronded bust is the no L variety.

Let me know if you would like a couple of pics posted to show the defferance in the two busts.

Hope this helps out.
Ron

MrBuddy

Does anyone have any photos that I can see. I'm over 50 and my eyes aren't good.

coinguy1

MrBuddy, look beneath the left side of the bottom feather:

Prethen

<< <i>See my sigline, by the bottom feather. >>



I have a bronze 1864 and 1865 that are in F-VF+ conditions and the "L" merely looks like a bump (almost like a tiny deformed "c") that happens to be in the right place. Sometimes that "L" is not quite as obvious in the mid-circulated grades as your sig shows.

EagleEye

notice the pointed bust as well.

IrishMike

As a sidelight I was at a local coin show and one of the dealers was offered a 64 cent by a customer in very fine and they couldn't determine if the blob was an L or just a blob. The bust was obviously pointed so it was and L. A few of the dealers disagreed with me which goes to show you that you can't always tell by just looking at the L to determine whether it is one. It made quite a difference in price to the seller. Finally a member of the fly in club echoed what I told the dealers.

tmot99

Maybe this helps for clarification. I needed this when I was first looking for the "L"