1865 Indian Head Cent (Plain 5) Repunched Date FS-303 Snow-3

Description

Cataloged as FS-303 and Snow-3, this 1865 Indian Head Cent of the Plain 5 variety displays repunching visible in all four digits of the date. The comprehensive repunching across the entire date suggests the die sinker's first attempt at positioning the four-digit logotype was sufficiently off-register to require a full correction, leaving traces beneath the final date placement. During this era, dates were punched into working dies by hand using a four-digit logotype punch, making positional errors a natural byproduct of the manual process. The Plain 5 designation distinguishes this variety from the Fancy 5 subtype, which features a longer, more ornate final digit. Struck in bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc), the alloy introduced the previous year when the series shifted from the heavier copper-nickel format. The FS-303 and Snow-3 cross-references place this variety in both the Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers' Guide and the Snow reference for Indian Head Cent varieties, ensuring broad recognition among specialists. Repunched dates spanning all four digits are relatively uncommon, as many RPDs affect only one or two numerals where the correction was most needed.

Attribution History

• FS-303, Snow-3