1864 Indian Head Cent (L on Ribbon) Repunched Date FS-2301 Snow-1

Description

Two of the most significant Indian Head cent references converge on this variety: Cherrypickers FS-2301 and Snow-1 from Rick Snow's authoritative catalog — the primary collector reference for this series designed by James Barton Longacre. This is a repunched date variety: the 1, 8, and 6 show secondary impressions below the primary digits, with the 1 and 8 being the most diagnostic. The "L on Ribbon" designation places this among the second-production 1864 cents, struck after Longacre added his initial "L" to the lower ribbon of the Indian princess's headdress partway through the year. The "L" is subtle — requiring careful examination — but distinguishes a large population of 1864 cents from the earlier "No L" pieces. The 1864 L on Ribbon cents were the first year of bronze composition for the Indian Head series, replacing the copper-nickel alloy used from 1859 through mid-1864. FS-2301 and Snow-1 both confirm this as the earliest documented repunched date variety for the L on Ribbon type, giving it priority status within the subspecialty of 1864 Indian Head cent variety collecting and ensuring recognition across major attribution platforms.

Attribution History

• FS-2301, Snow-1