United States: bronze proof Indian Head cent, 1881 Mintage: 3,575. https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/1663649-015/65/ https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1881-1c-bn/2330 043500S
I agree with @furryfrog02 , nice toning and outstanding Wreath !! Never saw or owned a PF IHC . Nice buy !!
I gave it 6. Primarily because I think it is only marginally RB, if that. Otherwise, I think it is a 8. If I was buying, I would look to not pay a premium RB price for this one. That said, I have seen many IHC proofs that were not as pretty.
I agree with y'all about it being more BN rather than RB. One wonders if it mellowed in the slab over time. I think that is a relatively older slab. But the distinction between BN and RB doesn't matter so much to me if the toning and eye appeal are there.
Neither would I, but I'm in it for $435. So taking a quick glance at the NGC priceguide, that looks to be around 64 RB price, and well below the 65 BN price, as of this posting. If it's truly a 65, I reckon I did OK, even if it's only a BN.
I agree with Publius that it doesn't look RB. I, too, gave it a 6. I considered calling it lower because of the lack of red color, though the toning is attractive.
Thought about it- maybe trying a cross to PCGS, and adding TrueView imaging- but I dunno. (I certainly wouldn't specify RB, but I'd not want to see it lose a point and drop from 65 to 64.) It's too old a holder for the NGC guarantee on copper, I believe. Still, some TrueViews might capture the color better. The existing images were shot through the NGC slab.
It is gorgeous. Totally beautiful coin, with great surface preservation and wonderful color. I would not have it reholdered—it is worth more in the older slab. It is perfect just the way it is. I disagree with the BN crowd—think it is marginally RB. Overall, a stunning coin!
I agree that crossing/reholdering does not seem worth it-especially with the risk of losing a point and or the RB. It's solid as-is.
Indeed NICE. No penalty this time on the inverted reverse photo . If these TPGs would just "get the picture," and humble themselves a bit by correcting their reverse labels.
I have to say the original question "How interesting/appealing..." leaves quite a bit of room for interpretation in how to formulate an answer. First of all, I found LM's cent to be quite appealing on its own merits. But, I found it's grade unappealing because I didn't think it merited a RB designation and was thus likely to be over-priced. Is it an "interesting" coin? Not really because I don't discern any unusual/rare variety or error characteristics. But all nice proof IHCs are interesting to some degree when they don't appear to have been messed with.
It really doesn't matter. It is a wonderful piece and you did well. I have stated my opinion before concerning rb/b/br/r. The coin is the coin, and yours is an outstanding example.