Hey there. Trying to attribute an IHC that just came my way. It appears to be Snow Variety #4. The main indicator is the top of the 9 and the top of the shield on the reverse. I’d love confirmation and any input on what it does to the value. Thanks!
For Snow-4 there are 4 factors involving the date area: -- the top of the 9 (your coin looks correct) -- minor repunching on the 1 and second 8 (I don't see it) -- top of an 8 or 9 in the dentils between the two 8's (looks like it to me). -- another weak 8 or 9 in the dentils between the 1 and the 8 (I don't see it) I don't know where you got a reference to the shield on the reverse. I'm leaning to "yes" on the Snow-4.
I found the shield reference on Indianvarieties.com https://indianvarieties.com/cents/indian-head-cents/1889-indian-head-penny/1889-mpd-001-rpd-008/
Any thoughts on grade or value? There seems to be a bit of verdigris or other contaminants on the reverse. There are a couple listed for sale on eBay, an ms63 and an ms64, both for more than $1200. There are no completed sales I could find though.
Mark Flynn book does give good comments on the 004 S-4 breen 2015 He states that it is a low interest variety, premiun factor 1.3 to 1.6 over grey sheet. Previously listed only as a repunched date, If the MPD is prominent enough to list it as such. It may be slightly rarer than indicated. Total mintage 48,868,361 obv dies used 224 rev dies 183 In Vf. Its a R- 4, xf a R -4 Au. R-5 , Ms 63 R- 6. I love hunting mpd's in seated coinage, IHC, nickel 3CN, and even shield nickels.
