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The 1866 Indian Cent is a slightly better date in the Indian Cent Series; especially, in comparison to previous issues. It is even relatively difficult to acquire in circulated grades. When uncirculated, this date is definitely scarce with red gems, specifically, being 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
1866 Cent Production: By 1866, the bronze cents were becoming well entrenched in commercial channels. The large production of the new three-cent nickel and five-cent nickel coins helped replace these denominations of Fractional Currency notes and the old copper-nickel cents in circulation. The need for cents diminished to the point that the Mint could direct its efforts to producing the new nickel coins.
Survivability: Collectors did not save this cent at the time of issue, except for Proofs. Between 1871 and 1875 most of the issue was turned in and melted at the Mint, making it scarce afterwards (see further discussion under 1871). This date is not widely available except in well-worn condition. High-grade examples that did survive the 1870’s meltdown did so only by chance.
Collecting Challenges: This is the first in a series of scarcer dates that runs until 1878. A collector requiring a challenge can attempt to collect the 1866 to 1878 dates in what could be called a “Reconstruction era” set.
It is very diffcult to find problem-free examples. Many attractive coins in the Very Fine to About Uncirculated grades have been processed (wire-brushed, called whizzing) to simulate mint luster. This was a common practice by dishonest elements of the hobby in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Collectors should learn how to spot the strange luster pattern on these whizzed coins and avoid them at all costs. (See appendix D for more on altered coins.)
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is VF-20. Examples with full detail on the feather tips and diamond area are worth premium prices. Depending on the price, some minor problems such as hits and scratches may be acceptable. Expect to pay a premium for a problem-free example.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-64RB. Many of these coins come with streaky toning, which may not be a problem for red-brown coins, but for full red coins it may be a reason for rejection. Well-struck examples are not particularly tough to find. Coins with great eye appeal are worth their price. Full red coins are very tough and in high demand. Beware of chemically brightened coins, especially coins that are not certified by a top-tier grading service.
Collecting Proof Issues: The 1866 Proof issue is very scarce. Only one die pair struck this issue. The cheek area of the portrait always shows some roughness, which may have been caused by the obverse die being allowed to rust slightly. This is not a grade-limiting feature. Full red examples are very rare and will attract serious competition if problem free. Gem examples are usually available, for a price. Many may have been undergraded in the past due to the facial roughness.
VARIETIES:
One of the top varieties in the Indian Head cent series is the Snow-1, an obverse doubled die that has a bold doubled LIBERTY. In addition to the doubled die, it has a base of a numeral 1 boldly sticking out of the necklace, and the tops of other digits in the denticles. This is a great variety with strong collector demand. Another very minor doubled die is known. There are 13 repunched dates known 1866, Doubled-Die Obverse, Snow-1 for this date, some very pronounced. Due to the high premiums this date receives, some varieties may not be worthy of an additional premium.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1305
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1866
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
Coin Date:
1866
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
9,826,500
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2085
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1866 1c MS BN
Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1866-united-states-indian-cent-brown-surfaces/gsid/1305 GSID: 1305 Title: 1866 1c MS BN
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Coin Value History
1866 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1866 1c 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 |
|
$2,050 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,600 | $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 BN
Worth: $10 – $625
1864 1c Bronze MS RB
Worth: $160 – $11,500
1864 1c Bronze MS RD
Worth: $300 – $18,000
1866 Small Cent. AU-55BN (PCGS).
$51,288
1866 1C XF45 PCGS. CDN: $150 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$214
1866 1C AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: 97 in 50, 684 finer (1/26). CDN: $190 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 9,826,500....
$214
1866 1C MS63 Brown PCGS. CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$456
1866 1C MS65 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (40/6). Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$853
1866 1C Repunched Date, Snow-3a, FS-302 -- Questionable Color -- CACG Details. Unc. Mintage 725....
$504
1866 1C VF30 PCGS. PCGS Population: (69/1201). Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$99
1866 1C MS64 Brown PCGS. Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$528
1866 1C AU58 PCGS. Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$264
1866 1C MS62 Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: (78/252). Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$360
1866 1C XF40 CACG. Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$129
1866 1C Misplaced Date, MPD-002 -- Cleaned -- ANACS. VG Details, Net Good 4. Mintage 9,826,500.Flynn Reference and Cr...
$45
1866 1c PCGS VG-10
$62
1866 1C VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: (39/1170 and 0/4+). NGC Census: (24/789 and 0/4+). CDN: $110 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF...
$119
1866 1C AU53 NGC. NGC Census: (48/485). PCGS Population: (65/544). CDN: $215 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 9,826,50...
$204
1866 1C VF35 NGC. NGC Census: (27/723). PCGS Population: (65/1022). CDN: $120 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 9,826,5...
$114
1866 1C MS61 Brown ANACS. Mintage 9,826,500. ...
$312
1866 1C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: (32/1188 and 0/3+). NGC Census: (7/787 and 0/4+). CDN: $85 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS F...
$89
1866 1C Doubled Die Obverse & Misplace Date, Snow-1, FS-101, -- Corroded -- ANACS. VF Details, Net Fine 12. (FS-007. 6)....
$109
1866 1C MS66+ Brown NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (6/0 and 1/0+). PCGS Population: (2/0 and 0/0+). CDN: $1,200 Whsle. Bid for NGC/P...
$1,560
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