Nothing wrong with being cautious when it comes to a coin like this. I think it's the real deal, but there is no top of the 7 showing that I can see. The doubling Rick is talking about at the top of the 8 could just be a mark from circulation. Looks real to me, but no need to get all worked up about it. Hope it checks out, OP, and welcome to the forum.
I bought a lot of world coins from an old woman on ebay about 4 months ago, didn't know this was a rare one till last week i just had it in my album.
There’s nothing wrong with being cautious when authenticity might be a concern or if the diagnostics are not easily seen. I raised the point that it could potentially be one of the “super fakes” that have been showing up lately. However, the diagnostics were plainly visible, so there was no excuse to say it is not the 1888/7.
Few days ago I messaged the woman on ebay when I found out it might be valuable, she said she was happy for me and didn't want anything extra for it. She said the tub of coins belonged to her grandfather. I don't know how advanced chinese fake tech is but I hope they didn't fake these in the early 1900s
Thanks for showing your IHC, @Adam95 , I enjoy collecting these, and am on the brink of an 1888 and 88/7 search. I would pass over this one for the minor rim damage at 9:00, though, knowing full well that this is an excellent specimen otherwise. I do not grade any of the coins I buy myself, and try not to be swayed by others' grades, it's just one of my own quirks. I have a small number of absolutely gorgeous IHCs — many that may be worth entombing in plastic... but then they would be on the other side of the wall.
Thanks for the comment, I've been told they call that at 9oclock "cad" all the 1888/7s have it would love to know why they all have it though
You might want to take a close look at this one... https://www.ebay.com/itm/1888-7-1C-...sop=16&_sacat=41084&_nkw=1888&_from=R40&rt=nc
ah thats cool thought they all had it https://www.ha.com/c/search-results...888/7+indian+head+cent&ic10=ArchiveTab-071515