1904 1c MS RB

1904 Cent Production: This is another higher-mintage date, although slightly fewer coins were minted compared to other dates of the 1900’s.

Survivability: Although produced in lower quantities than most other dates of the era, there appears to be about the same number of surviving 1904 cents. This date is no more scarce than any other of the 1900’s. The chance survival of only a few original rolls can alter the rarity of the high-end examples in the collector market. In the 1990’s and beyond, the discovery of original rolls has been a very rare occurrence.

Collecting Challenges: Select problem-free examples with attractive eye appeal.

Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50 to MS-63RB. These tend to come well struck and attractive.

Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RD. Select eye-appealing coins with no problems. All brown and red-brown coins graded MS-65 or higher, and all red coins, should be purchased certified. Grade certification is not a cure-all, as the coins still need to be looked at for strike, problems, and eye appeal, but it is a good starting point. At least the worst cleaned and altered coins will be eliminated from the selection of contenders for your collection.

Collecting Proof Issues: This is a lower-mintage date in Proof. Early-die-state pieces hardly ever come with a cameo contrast, but do have the die-polishing lines seen on other issues from 1901 to 1907. True full red gems are very scarce and hotly contested. The prices for many later-date Proofs in gem condition are presently deceptively low compared to more common earlier dates. Collectors and price-guide writers both typically equate the scarcer Proof dates in the 1900’s with the common circulation strikes.

Only 12 varieties are known for this year. These are mostly minor repunched dates.