1896 1c MS RB

1896 Cent Production: As the country began to recover from the depression of 1893, businesses began to feel strong growth, justifying the need for more coins. The Mint experienced strong demand for cents and thus devoted much energy to increasing output this year and for the years to follow.

Survivability: The coins of this issue were put into circulation and stayed there for at least a generation.

Collecting Challenges: These are widely available in most all grades except in gem condition. Select eye-appealing coins with good strikes and no problems.

Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50 to MS-63RB. These should be easy to find without any problems.

Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RB or MS-64RD. These are a bit scarcer than other dates in the later 1890’s, although this is not currently reflected in the price. Full red gems are surprisingly scarce. These tend to be a bit bright pale-gold, rather than the red-gold of other dates. Perhaps this makes them harder to be accepted as true gems.

Collecting Proof Issues: The mintage for this issue dips below the 2,000 mark for the first time since 1877. Mintages from here until the end of the series will remain at these lower levels. This date is very tough with full red color, especially in PF-65RD or higher grades. Many of the high-end examples will get the cameo designation.

Presently 16 varieties are known, mostly minor repunched dates.