1906 1c PR RB

1906 Cent Production: The Mint produced a record number of cents this year.

Survivability: These coins circulated widely, and were not saved for numismatic purposes until the late 1940’s. Original-roll quantities were occasionally discovered as late as the 1960’s. Since the advent of third-party certification, any original roll that still exists does not stand much chance of staying intact. For protection purposes alone, certification offers many benefits. A gem full red Indian Head cent that has existed in a roll for 100 years will certainly stay that way even longer if nothing gets on its surface. The chance slip of a finger to the surface of a coin may leave skin oils that will turn into a fingerprint in the future. Also, someone coughing or speaking carelessly in the vicinity of an exposed coin may lead to ugly spotting over time.

Collecting Challenges: This date is usually found fully struck. Search out eye-appealing coins.

Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50 to MS-63RB. This is one of the most plentiful dates in average circulated grades.

Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RD. Select problem-free examples with attractive eye appeal.

Collecting Proof Issues: This is a lower-mintage date in the late-date series, 1879 to 1909. These coins are fairly diffcult to locate in all grades except PF-64RB. Gem full red examples are diffcult, but some exceptional pieces are seen from time to time. Cameos are available for this date more frequently than for previous dates.

There are more than 40 varieties recorded for this date. Most are minor repunched dates. Three dies are known with minor doubled dies. An example struck on a gold quarter-eagle planchet is known. It is graded AU-58 by NGC. Unlike the 1900 gold Indian Head cent, this appears to be a true wrong-metal planchet error.