1880 1c PR BN

1880 Cent Production: The mintage of cents for 1880 more than doubled compared to the previous year. This was the highest-production year since 1863. Quality was very high, for the most part. Many of the date punches used had broken elements that imparted digits with missing sections; the majority of these were later corrected.

Survivability: Although one of the largest production years of the 1880’s, this issue circulated widely. The vast majority of coins wore down to low grades before being withdrawn from circulation and melted during the early 1900’s; however, enough pieces survived to satisfy collector needs in all grades.

Collecting Challenges: Search out problem-free coins regardless of the grade level desired.

Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50. Select pieces with a full strike and even, natural color.

Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RB. Find an example with exceptional eye appeal. Examples with vibrant luster and a high percentage of red color are usually in high demand.

Collecting Proof Issues: As one of the higher mintages of the series, this issue should be classified and priced at the common “type” price. Vividly toned examples are in high demand and sometimes garner exceptional prices. These are usually a deep cobalt blue or purple. Although these coins are typically graded with a BN (for brown) designation, they trade at RB to RD price levels or even greater if the toning is exceptional.

The 1880 Proof Indian Head cent is occasionally available with a cameo c ontrast. Such pieces are highly sought after and usually get good premiums over non-cameo examples.

The Snow-1 variety has a very wide o"-center clash mark on the reverse. A semi-circular impression from an obverse die is seen curving from the N in CENT through the E in ONE, towards the upper-right wreath. Apparently, this interesting and rare variety was caused by an obverse die that possibly fell out of the hammer position of the press onto the face of the reverse die. This variety also features a slight doubled LIBERTY on the obverse. This is one of the most interesting and popular varieties of the Indian Head cent series.1880, Off-