Could anyone tell me if this is an L or not and does that really make difference when it comes to errors? People say the bust are dfferent but they all look the same to me. I have photoed the area where the L is supposed be and it kinda looks like a worn L if you look hard enough but I'm sure someone out there is an expert on 'em. Three photos attached. Appreciate any help. bigd
The 1864 IHC with 'L' has a pointed bust. Your cool example does not appear to have a pointed bust. No Pointed Bust = No 'L'
I agree. The "tip of the bust is the part right above and to the left of the "1" in the date. Quite a nice large offset!
Can I see a closeup of the bust? And the date? There were plenty of snow varieties that concentrate on the date in 1864! Nice off center, even if the coin's been cleaned to death.
Okay I got some photos of the date so you can tell from a snow variety??? LMK. Also about the coin being cleaned to death,,,in real life it looks more like a mixed alloy thing. I know for some weird reason a mixed alloy often just effects one side of the coin. Take a look at the other side....much better huh?
The doubling you see is Longacre Doubling, which was common for the Indian cents. Many Snow varieties involve repunching of the date, especially in 1864 - but yours is normal. I've seen several bold examples of an improperly mixed alloy on the Indians. I had a 1909-S with an alloy issue (I tried to get it slabbed as an error but not even ANACS would do it). The problem I have with your coin, and I hope others weigh in, is that the area around the profile of the Indian looks shiny. I think I see a little lamination extending from the 4 to the denticles? The reverse looks very nice.
