Question on the 1864 IHC???

dizzyfoxx

I know the 1864 IHC is available in both bronze and copper-nickel and I'm wondering if one is more difficult / desirable / tough to find nice, than the other? Any input on this would be appreciated....

Walkerguy21D

The copper nickel version is scarcer than the bronze (no L); I've seen a number of nice examples of both bronze versions (L and no L) and the copper nickel version, so I'm not sure strike or whatever is an issue is an on any of them, and none of them are particularly difficult to find, IMO. Of course it may depend on what you mean by nice - I'm refering to XF-AU and low MS examples. If you are looking for the mega grades, you'll need Rick Snow's opinion.

ThePennyLady

The copper nickel 1864 contained nickel and is much thicker/heavier/harder than the bronze version. It has a mintage of 13,740,000 while the bronze has a mintage of 34,000,000, so the 1864 copper nickel is more rare and does cost more. The 1864-L (with a pointed bust) is also bronze but only has a mintage of 5,000,000, so it is much more expensive and considered a semi-key to the Indian cent series. Regarding strike, it's harder to find a fully struck copper nickel because the metal was harder to strike, that's one of the reasons the metal composition changed in 1864. It's also much easier to find high grade 1864 (no L) bronze for a reasonable price. I've seen many in MS66+ grade. In any event, both 1864 copper nickel and bronze are very popular for type set collectors.

EagleEye

the metal was harder to strike, that's one of the reasons the metal composition changed in 1864.

The metal was changed because the CN cents were hoarded along with all other coinage. Only the cent-sized tokens circulated. The bronze cent were the government's answer to get cents in circulation again. After that the CN cents circulated, but were redeemed and recoined into 3-cent and 5-cent nickels for the next 40+ years. Many were melted.


---posted from ANA Summer Seminar....waiting for class to start.