Strange features on an 1862 Indian Head Cent

Discussion in 'Error Coins' started by The Meat man, Apr 14, 2026 at 7:34 PM.

  1. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Recently, over on Numisforums, a new member posted this coin along with the question:

    "Hi, I am wondering if this coin was damaged through the die process. Does anyone have any ideas? Is this a coin that has any value? Thanks in advance."

    Since NF is not really US coin focused, I offered to post it over here. What do you all think?

    IHC_1.jpg
    IHC2.jpg
    IHC3.jpg
    IHC4.jpg
    IHC5.jpg
     
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  3. ElishaCollectsForever

    ElishaCollectsForever Young Man Collector

    Wow now that is impressive. It looks like a fraction of one coin was minted onto fully minted coin. Does that make it worth two cents instead of one?
     
    The Meat man likes this.
  4. ddddd

    ddddd Member

  5. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    The secondary strike has the details of the reverse on both sides.
    I am in the fake camp. Any reputable TGP would pass on it because of the damage.
    It would be interesting to know if the Die crack from the left wreath is a known die stage.
     
  6. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Damaged (duh!). ;):smuggrin:
    Maybe a vise job?o_O
     
  7. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I agree with @Pickin and Grinin. The reverse is on both sides therefore I believe it to be a vise job.
     
  8. Mr. Numismatist

    Mr. Numismatist Strawberry Token Enthusiast

    Not sure on this one. It looks like it could be legitimate. The amount of damage makes me a bit suspicious, but sometimes these not so obvious errors can circulate for awhile before they're found.

    Like this one: https://www.greatcollections.com/Co...-Struck-2nd-Strike-95-Off-Center-NGC-VG-08-BN

    Edit:

    Ah! I known. If we can determine if the deticles are raised or incuse, that will tell us if it's a "vice job" or double struck.
     
    Pickin and Grinin likes this.
  9. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    There is still the two reverse dies used in the second strike. Just my 2 cents.
     
    ksmooter61 likes this.
  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Both sides of the coin show the edge of the wreath, which is only on the reverse of The Indian Head Cent. If the coin was struck once to get the full design and didn’t eject properly, you would have the partial design. In order to have the reverse on both sides of the original coin it would’ve had to have been flipped over in the exact same position to get the reverse on the second side. Astronomical odds for that to happen.
     
  11. Mr. Numismatist

    Mr. Numismatist Strawberry Token Enthusiast

    Honestly I don't think there is enough design detail present to positively say if both sides of the vice job/second strike are the reverse. I too think it looks like it might be the reverse design on both sides, but I need more evidence before I can come to a conclusion.
     

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