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Extremely common Indian Cent issue across all color designations and grade levels compared to other early years of this type. For Brown and Red Brown examples only the finest of gems are scarce at all. For Red examples all gems are scarce and the finest ones are very rare.
Obverse Description
A portrait bearing the likeness of a Native American in full headdress framed by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery. The date is centered at the bottom under the portrait.
Reverse Description
The reverse bears the denomination of ONE CENT in the center surrounded by a wreath bearing a ribbon with arrows tied in at the bottom center.
Book Reference
Bronze or No L: These are typically called either 1864 No L or 1864 Bronze cents. Older collectors and grading services are accustomed to labeling this as Bronze. This separates these coins from the copper-nickel cents. The design change to the 1864 With L is assumed. In the past ten years it has been also listed as the No L, which separates the coin from the With L issue. The change from the copper-nickel alloy is assumed.
1864, No L, Cent Production: On April 22 a bill authorizing the change to a bronze cent was signed into law. This law also made the use of all private coinage illegal. The first bronze cents were produced on May 13 and released into circulation on May 20. There was no reason to make new dies for this coinage, as the Mint still had on hand many of the dies made at the beginning of the year for the copper-nickel cent coinage.
The coins were an immediate success. This cent composition remained basically unchanged, except for the emergency issues of World War II, until 1982, when it was changed to copper-coated zinc.
Survivability: These coins were released into circulation and stayed there for quite a while. They were only removed from circulation when they became too worn or damaged to be useful as coinage. Today they are mostly found in Very Good condition or lower.
Collecting Challenges: This issue is a one-year type, but this seems to be overlooked by most type collectors. As such, type collector demand is not a big factor in the pricing of these coins. These were mostly struck with dies used to strike the copper-nickel cents earlier in the year, and most coins show mushy details with numerous die clashes. Only about one in 30 coins was struck from fresh dies. The new dies produced crisp early-die-state pieces, which will have very sharp details. While many collectors will overlook die state when selecting coins, it may be important enough to spend the extra time to locate these. It may not cost much more, and the eye appeal of these pieces will more than make up for the time spent looking.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50. The vast majority is found in low grade so it is important to buy the best you can for your budget. Early-die-state pieces may occasionally be found, and should be bought when encountered.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RB. This is one of the most common issues of the Civil War years. In Mint State this date is no more common than any of the copper-nickel issues, but it can be found at a much lower price. Finding examples with eye appeal is recommended. Common, early-die-state pieces are very hard to find, as are ones with even red-brown color. Pieces with full mint red color are hard to find with eye appeal. Trying to find an early-die-state example is quite a challenge.
Collecting Proof Issues: The typically reported mintage is 150, but this is unreasonably low. While this issue is quite scarce, it always seems to be available. More than 200 examples have been recorded graded by ANACS, NGC, and PCGS combined. Even with duplicate submissions it seems unlikely that the mintage is anywhere near 150. A more realistic estimate may be 300. This issue is found mostly brown or with very little red present. Examples with even color with deep mirrors are most desirable for the issue. Full red examples are very diffcult to find and are very expensive. Examples with cameo contrast are extremely rare and are usually priced with a significant premium.
VARIETIES:
The best variety is the Snow-4 doubled die, with the doubling most prominent on LIBERTY. It was discovered in 1991 and is widely known, yet few examples have turned up. Very few examples are known. This is a coin that can make your day if you find one. There are Doubled-Die Obverse, Snow-4 only seven other varieties reported, mostly minor repunched dates. The other standout variety for this date is Snow-11, which has circular lathe lines over the face on the obverse.
An 1864 two-cent piece variety is known with clash marks from the obverse Indian Head cent die! This raises the question: does an 1864 Indian Head cent exist with the corresponding twocent piece clash marks? None have yet been found.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1296
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1864
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
ONE CENT
Weight (gr):
3.11 gr
Weight (oz):
0.11 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Bronze
Coin Date:
1864
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
39,233,714
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2076
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1864 1c Bronze MS BN
Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1864-brown-surfaces-bronze-united-states-indian-cent/gsid/1296 GSID: 1296 Title: 1864 1c Bronze MS BN
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Coin Value History
1864 1c Bronze MS BN
Value By Grade
1864 1c Bronze MS BN
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$800.00 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $650.00 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Indian Head Cent 1c 1859, Reverse of 1858 MS [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c 1859, Reverse of 1858 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/Indian-Cent.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $5 – $25,000
1859 1c MS
Worth: $5 – $25,000
Indian Head Cent 1c Copper Nickel, 1860-1864 MS [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c Copper Nickel, 1860-1864 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1863-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $6 – $72,000
1860 1c Round Bust MS
Worth: $6 – $18,000
1860 1c Pointed Bust MS
Worth: $7 – $28,800
1861 1c MS
Worth: $14 – $72,000
1862 1c MS
Worth: $6 – $72,000
1863 1c MS
Worth: $6 – $18,750
1864 1c Copper Nickel MS
Worth: $14 – $20,000
Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS BN [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS BN [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/auctions_stacksbowers_com_lots_view_3_j4gae-0.20200712022457246.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $1 – $1,688
Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS RB [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS RB [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20250811/m7z2wm7kefb0wx6umy1d.webp?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $44 – $2,000
Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS RD [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS RD [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20200826/ha_com_131705_30309-0.20200826140250544.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $110 – $120,000
1864 1c Bronze MS RB
Worth: $160 – $11,500
1864 1c Bronze MS RD
Worth: $300 – $18,000
1864 1c L on Ribbon MS BN
Worth: $20 – $5,000
1864 1C Bronze No L MS63 Brown PCGS. CDN: $145 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$207
1864 1C Indian Cent, Bronze, No L -- Off Center -- XF40 ANACS....
$480
1864 1C Bronze No L MS62 Brown PCGS. Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$222
1864 1C Bronze No L AU50 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (28/801). Mintage 39,233,714....
$79
1864 1C Bronze No L XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: (57/932). Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$119
1864 1C Bronze No L AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: (96/735). Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$124
1864 1C Bronze No L MS61 Brown ANACS. Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$114
1864 1C Bronze No L MS65 Brown PCGS. CAC. CAC Population: (29/14). Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$600
1864 1C Bronze No L AU58 PCGS. Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$192
1864 1C Bronze No L MS66 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (30/3). Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$630
1864 1C Indian Cent Bronze No L -- 85% Counter Clockwise Rotated Dies -- AG3 PCGS. PCGS Population: (7/1081 and 0/7+). Min...
$39
(1864-1982) 1C Copper Small Cent -- Type Two Planchet -- PCGS Genuine. ...
$129
1864 1C Bronze No L MS64 Brown PCGS. Mintage 39,233,714. ...
$198
1864 1C Indian Cent Bronze No L -- Struck 10% Off Center -- Good 4 NGC....
$312
1864 1C Indian Cent, Bronze -- Curved Clip @ 3:00 -- VF30 Brown NGC.From The Washington Corner Collection. ...
$63
1864 1C Bronze No L AU53 NGC. NGC Census: (35/703). PCGS Population: (37/787). CDN: $67 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Minta...
$84
1864 1C Bronze No L, Indian Cent -- Double Struck, Both Broadstruck -- Good 6 NGC. ...
$156
1864 1C Bronze No L MS68 Brown NGC. Snow-8. ...
$5,040
1C 1864 BRONZE. PCGS MS67 BN CAC
$3,525
1864 1C Indian Cents, 180 Degree Rotated Rev -- Surface Damaged -- Genuine PCGS. Mintage: 39,233,712. (#2076)...
$99
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