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A semi-key date in the Indian Cent Series with similar value and mintage to the better dates of the early 1870's. Very few have been saved of the 1869's which explains the scarcity. Scarce in Mint State as the value gradually increases with more red color. High-end red gems are extremely 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
1869 Cent Production: With an original mintage lower than those of the 1866 to 1868 cents, the 1869 issue is obviously rarer. Mintages for the cent, two-cent piece, nickel three-cent piece, and nickel five-cent piece all drop this year and continued to drop over the next few years.
Survivability: Between 1868 and 1869, more than three million bronze cents and twocent pieces were turned in to the Mint for melting. A flaw in the Mint Act of April 22, 1864 failed to give any redemption clause for the coins. At that time the cent was given a 10¢ legal tender limit, and that was lowered to only 4¢ the next year. The banks could refuse to take the cents in from merchants and, as Carothers notes, many likely did. As a result, the Mint was the buyer of last resort and obliged itself to buy and melt the coins. This was done without any authorization from Congress, but it helped to solve the oversight.
The effect of this was the wholesale melting of all the bronze issues. Many of the recently issued coins went straight back to the Mint to be melted. Over the next ten years, more than 55 million bronze cents were melted; these mass meltings have had a great impact on the availability of this date as well as all others of the era.
Collecting Challenges: This is a very tough date to find, in all grades. Few collectors realize how rare this date really is. Its price has climbed steadily over the years. With little supply of quality pieces available, it will probably continue to appreciate. Expect to always pay a premium for attractive pieces.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is F-12. Most examples are a very low grade. Finding problem-free examples in Very Fine condition or better is very diffcult. Examples with problems such as scratches, cleaning, and rim dents are mostly what collectors will encounter. Try and hold out for original coins without serious problems.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-64RB. Although this grade is very scarce, there are usually examples available in the same proportion as for the 1866 to 1868 dates. These coins were saved only by chance, and in very small quantities. On such small scale, the chance survival of even a 50-piece roll would alter the pricing structure between these dates. However, such an occurrence is very unlikely for coins of this era. Full red examples, although scarce, are a bit more readily available than earlier dates.
Collecting Proof Issues: This issue was struck in the same mintage range as the 1866 to 1868 issues. Most have a mottled red-brown look, with average mirrors. Gem red examples are diffcult to find. Most of this issue comes with light die-polishing lines in the fields. Die-polishing lines, sometimes confused with hairlines, are transferred to every coin struck from that die and are raised on the coin. Hairlines are fine scratches on the surface of a coin and are remnants of some kind of cleaning or wiping of the coin after it is struck.
Catalog Information
GSID:
331610
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1869
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:
1869/69
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
6,420,000
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1869/69 1c MS BN
Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1869-over-69-united-states-indian-cent-brown-surfaces-repunched-date/gsid/331610 GSID: 331610 Title: 1869/69 1c MS BN
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Coin Value History
1869/69 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1869/69 1c MS BN
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
GSID:331610
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Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$3,100 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $2,500 | $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
1869/69 1C Repunched Date, Snow-3, FS-301, Good 6 ANACS....
$129
1869/69 1C Snow-3, FS-301 -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. Unc. Net AU50. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 6,420,000....
$840
1869/69 1C Repunch Date Snow-3, FS-301, AU58 PCGS. PCGS Population: (17/45)....
$1,080
1869/69 1C Repunched Date, Snow-4, FS-303, XF40 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 6,420,000....
$528
1869/69 1C Repunched Date, Snow-3, FS-301, MS62 Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: (9/36)....
$1,440
1869/69 1C Repunched Date Snow-3, FS-301, Good 4 ANACS....
$124
1869/69 1C Snow-3, FS-301, VF35 PCGS. (FS-008.3). PCGS Population: (17/156). NGC Census: (15/201). CDN: $565 Whsle. Bid for...
$528
1869/69 1C Snow-3, FS-301, VF25 Brown NGC. FS-008.3. NGC Census: (22/233). PCGS Population: (15/196). CDN: $525 Whsle. Bid ...
$360
1869/69 1C Snow-3, FS-301, AU53 NGC. NGC Census: (17/97). PCGS Population: (14/69). CDN: $900 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53....
$840
1869/69 1C -- Repunched Date -- Snow-3, FS-301, XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population: (32/98 and 0/0+). NGC Census: (42/127 and 0/1+)...
$722
1869/69 1C Snow-4, FS-303, VF30 NGC. NGC Census: (3/21). PCGS Population: (5/51). VF30. Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$540
1869/69 1c PCGS F12 (Repunched Date S-4)
$250
1869/69 1C Repunched Date, Snow-3, FS-301, XF40 ANACS. ...
$606
1869/69 1C Snow-3, FS-301, MS64 Brown PCGS. CAC. (FS-008.3). PCGS Population: (16/9). NGC Census: (15/14). CDN: $1,450 Whs...
$1,440
1869/9 1c PCGS MS66 BN (RPD FS-301 S-1 008.3) ex: D.L. Hansen
$1,850
1869/69 1C Snow-3, FS-301, MS65 Brown PCGS. ...
$1,620
1869/9 1c PCGS/CAC VG-10 (RPD FS-301 S-3)
$255
1869/69 1C Repunched Date, Snow-3, FS-301, AG3 PCGS. (FS-008.3). PCGS Population: (6/257). NGC Census: (0/337)....
$53
1869/69 1C Snow-3, FS-301, AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (15/68). PCGS Population: (11/37). AU55. ...
$960
1869/69 1C Snow-3, FS-301, Brown -- Environmental Damage -- NGC Details. AU. NGC Census: (0/54). PCGS Population: (0/27). ...
$750
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