1864 Indian Head Cent (Bronze No L) Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack

Description

A bisecting rim-to-rim die crack is visible on the obverse of this 1864 Indian Head cent (Bronze No L variety). A bisecting rim-to-rim die crack occurs when a major fracture runs completely across the die from one rim to the opposite rim, effectively splitting the coin's design in two. In this case, the crack runs from the "E" in STATES through the bust in an irregular pattern and continues through the "C" in AMERICA on the other side of the obverse. The 1864 Bronze No L variety was among the first bronze Indian Head cents struck after the mid-1864 composition change from copper-nickel to bronze. The "No L" designation indicates the absence of designer James Longacre's initial on the ribbon.