1865 Indian Head Cent (Fancy 5) Repunched Date FS-1301 Snow-1

Description

Cross-referenced as FS-1301 and Snow-1, this 1865 Indian Head Cent in the Fancy 5 variety displays a repunched date created when one or more digits of the date were punched into the working die more than once in slightly different positions. The Indian Head Cent series, designed by James Barton Longacre, transitioned from copper-nickel to bronze composition in 1864, making the 1865 issue among the early bronze examples at 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams and measuring 19.05 mm in diameter. The 1865 date is notable for featuring two distinct styles of the numeral 5: the Fancy 5 variety with a tall, ornate digit featuring distinctive serifs, and the Plain 5 variety with a shorter, simpler digit. This FS-1301 variety occurs specifically on the Fancy 5 obverse, and the Snow-1 designation establishes it as the primary repunched date variety for this particular date-style combination. Collectors should examine the date digits under magnification to locate traces of the initial punch position, which will appear as faint secondary outlines adjacent to the final placement of the numerals.

Attribution History

• FS-1301, Snow-1