Penny Problem With ID

CallBob · 07-08-2009, 01:06 AM

I have a worn 1864 Indian Head penny . I don't know how to tell if it's a Copper-Nickle Oak Wreath , or is it a Bronze .It's to worn to look for an " L " . Can someone help me figure out if it's a Copper-Nickle or a Bronze ?

Thanks in advance for facts and opinions .
Bobby

Treashunt · 07-08-2009, 07:49 AM

okay, the CN (copper-nickel) should be light, an tan colored.
Look at pictures of Flying Eagle cents, they are the same composition.

The copper, with or without the L should be dark, like all other Indian cents.

grizz · 07-08-2009, 11:07 AM

........just curious, can this be determined with a scale?

Snowman · 07-08-2009, 11:15 AM

The best way i think to tell the 3 different kinds of 1864s is first to see if its the copper-nickel type - the best method to tell if the coin alot thicker is by having a regular penny next to it. these copper-nickels are ~ 50% thicker than regular pennies

here is a link to show the difference http://forums.collectors.com/message...=1864%20indian

next to tell if its the type with the "L" type on the thinner 1864s and if its worn cull type like some i have is to show a comparison. The way to tell is look at the bust point. The L type has a pointed bust and the non L is a more slightly rounded point. here is pic to show an example to tell the difference on extreme cull types. Hope this helps ? Snowman

coop · 07-08-2009, 11:19 AM

Check out the Redbook for information on this. 2008 Pages 110 & 111

mralexanderb · 07-08-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowman

The best way i think to tell the 3 different kinds of 1864s is first to see if its the copper-nickel type - the best method to tell if the coin alto thicker is by having a regular penny next to it. these copper-nickels are ~ 50% thicker than regular pennies

here is a link to show the difference http://forums.collectors.com/message...=1864%20indian

next to tell if its the type with the "L" type on the thinner 1864s and if its worn cull type like some i have is to show a comparison. The way to tell is look at the bust point. The L type has a pointed bust and the non L is a more slightly rounded point. here is pic to show an example to tell the difference on extreme cull types. Hope this helps ? Snowman

My first 1864 L is also worn to the point that the L is no longer there. I bought it on Ebay and the seller stated that he thought it was an L "64 IHC. I won it cheaply enough to warrant the gamble (so I thought). Upon further study in hand I identified it as being a "pointed bust" 1864 coin, thereby making it an L IHC. Later on I bought a much higher grade 1864 L because I needed to see the L.

Bruce

CallBob · 07-09-2009, 03:38 AM

Thanks guys , ..it is a browner/tan color , and the info on pages 110 did not tell me enough when i studied it before ( 2010 book ) ....i found it earlier under a 30 magnifier to have the rounded bust ( transition to round was 1860 ) , but, was not sure if this was helping me out or not because it's like an a4 condition ...Gee, now i have to go out and find a regular penny someplace..hmmmm...put it next to a 1943 steel and it is thinner .
Snowman....it's weird , but , my penny looks like the one on the LEFT of the photo ...not on the right , that one is way to big .
Treashunt....you said "the copper" ...did you mean the "bronze"..that i am having trouble with ?
Okay ...so far ..it's the color of a regular brown toned penny , it has a rounded bust point , it is thinner than a regular penny,it's to worn to see the L , it's not as thick as my 1863 Indians which for some strange reason are bronze colored . NOw that i am confused again , it weighs 0 on my electronic postal scale

.
Due to it's color , i am going with Copper-Nickle...all those who agree , raise your left foot

Bobby

mralexanderb · 07-09-2009, 09:50 AM

Rounded bust = no L

Bruce

Snowman · 07-09-2009, 11:27 AM

Bob - it sounds like you have the regular bronze(copper) 1864. a picture would help out alot.

my opinion is i would go by the weight and thickness and not by color - did you look at the link in my 1st reply to determine thickness?

take a look a my cheap cull CU-nickel indians ..the colors vary alot - even the 1864 CU-NI piece looks more normal color - Snowman

CallBob · 07-09-2009, 07:18 PM

Alright....It's on the left , next to a 1971D . 1st photo from straight above , 2nd from an angle .(files attached)..Snowman.,I answered your question in the center of my last post

Magman · 07-09-2009, 07:33 PM

its copper

CallBob · 07-10-2009, 12:43 AM

Yeup..That's what i have decided to go with...so your a left foot picker upper ..

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