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1864 L Indian Head Cent, What is the back story on this variety?
Aspie_Rocco
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I looked into it a little and know it is more valuable, but why was it only a one year occurrence?
Was there a negative public reaction like with the future VDB cent?
What is the history or story about it?
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The “L” was added in 1864; it stands for the designer, James Longacre.
There were 3 versions in 1864 - the last copper nickel, the introduction of the new composition (the 1864 No L or Bronze) & the 1864 L with the initial added. The L remained on future year’s issues, but there was no need anymore to state it like the initial year.
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Nickelodeon
Just to expand on Ken’s response, the 1864 bronze cents did come in 2 variations. Without designer’s initial L for James B. Longacre first and with his initial for a short period until the end of the year. To help identify the 2, look at the Indian’s bust. The no L is rounded and with L is pointed. This feature is also present on IHCents for the year 1860. Perhaps the Mint found the striking characteristics of the pointed bust worked better as this style was continued to the series conclusion in 1909 along with the L.
@jfriedm56: Consequently your correct answer in roulette today that pointed (bust) this out. Couldn’t resist Zack!
Ken
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Nickelodeon
There are also a few circulation strike 1864 L copper nickel examples. Not patterns or proofs, but struck from one pair of regular issue dies. Similar to the transitional mint error 1982-D small date copper cents.
That is what got me researching the L variety. I did not realize it was in all since. Most of my IHC are lower grade varieties, only one as high as au58. I must admit I have not studied this series much at all yet.
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
There are some Proof Copper Nickel w/L cents known as well. These are given a Judd number and are technically not patterns. They were struck with the PR1 and PR3 die pairings, indicating they were original strikings from 1864.
The transitional years of 1859-1865 are really fascinating as there were a number of design changes and metal change in a short amount of time. Some really cool patterns emerged from this short civil war era.
James Longacre redid his artwork in 1864 which coincided with a change in the alloy from copper-nickel to bronze. According to Q. David Bowers, the “L” and “no L” bronze cent were made at the same time. All subsequent Indian Cents have the “L” initial. The coin not that rare, although the coin is extremely rare as a Proof.
Here are some pictures of the 1864-L cent.
The "L"
1864 Bronze. Compare the tip of the Indian's bust on both pieces.
And there is no "L."