This is an Indian head I found sometime ago. I am curious as to what grade it might be. While the details are pretty good on both sides (only showing the obverse), the finish takes a beating coming from the ground. The picture is taken through a magnifying glass and I used "auto correct" with the picture as my lighting suffers for any kind of macro photography. Several of my pre 1900's have some verdigris in spots. I just obtained a 2008 copy of the Redbook and spent a couple of hours looking my "stash" over. I have some good dates but the finish/appearance on most is poor even by my standards. Greg
Personally - I would say VF details. I can see plenty of detail, but without the coin in hand I do not think I could go higher.
would say that coin was at least VF when it was lost. It is really not in bad condition for a copper or bronze dug coin. Nice coin, rounded chin variety. Most of the pfennige of that era which i find are hopelessly corroded....
I have one other question,.... The 1860 is my oldest IH. It is much thicker than any other penny I have. Were the pennies up to that point thicker than later dates? I took some pictures to show how much thicker it is even to a new Lincoln head. I got out my old triple beam scale and it weighed out at 4.5 grams. Thank you your replies, Greg
The 1860 is made of cupro-nickel, and is a much heavier coin, also much stronger than the post 1864 bronzes. But striking this coin in cupro-nickel was hard on dies, and more costly than striking in bronze, so they were changed in 1864 as an economic measure. So effectively the cent had been downsized twice in seven years, from the large cent in 1857, to the bronze ie 95% copper, tin and zinc cent in 1864.
Now sir, what are you really using this here triple beam for??? Just kiddin. Im sure it is work related. btw I am a Michigander myself. I am stationed at Whiteman AFB MO. Tom
