1894 1c MS RB

1894 Cent Production: Mintage levels dropped this year to a low for the decade. In 1893 and 1894 an economic depression caused many coins from previous years to be brought out of hiding and into circulation. This caused a glut of cents and nickel fivecent pieces. As a result, coining operations for these denominations ceased in April and did not resume for many months.

Survivability: As the low-mintage date for the 1890’s, these are more coveted by collectors, but in reality are not much scarcer than other dates of the era, except in very low grade. Most of the coins of this era stayed in circulation and were saved in higher grades by accident in the same average amounts each year.

Collecting Challenges: Search out problem-free examples with attractive eye appeal. These usually come well struck.

Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50 to MS-63RB. These are popular as a lower-mintage date. This may be a bit tougher date to find for lower-grade Good to VG collections. Check each example for the Snow-1 repunched date (see next page).

Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RB or MS-64RD. This is a popular date, and it brings a slight premium above other dates of the era. Most are moderate grades, MS-64RB being widely available, though no more than any other date of this era. Full red examples tend to be an orange-gold. Gems are available and are no rarer than other years of the decade.

Collecting Proof Issues: These come with good mirrors and usually have a good amount of red. Vivid purple-toned examples are slightly tougher to locate than in other dates. Gems are available, and are quite rare with cameo contrast.

The Snow-1 repunched date (1894/1894) is one of the top varieties of the Indian Head cent series. Many advanced collectors collect it as part of the regular date set, an honor only given to only a few varieties (the 1867, 67 Over 67; 1869, 69 Over 69; and 1873, Doubled LIBERTY being other examples). This variety is an easily seen repunched date, so examples are easily discovered in low grades. These are usually well struck. A half-roll quantity came on the market in the early 1990’s. Most of these pieces were of high quality although they may have numerous little carbon spots.

1401 (Brown)$100$130$195$455$1,000$1,350$1,500$2,400$4,000 1402 (Red-Brown)———————2,5005,250 1403 (Red)————————6,000