1873 Indian Head Cent (Open 3) Misplaced Date FS-1302 Snow-6

Description

The 1873 Indian Head Cent Open 3 Misplaced Date FS-1302 / Snow-6 carries recognition under both major Indian Head cent reference systems: the Cherrypickers' Guide (FS-1302) and the Snow catalogue (Snow-6). A date digit has been punched above the tip of the Indian bust, well outside the intended position at the base of the obverse field. Misplaced dates arise during die preparation when an individual date punch is inadvertently applied to the die in an unintended location; the errant impression sinks into the working die's steel and transfers to every coin struck from it as a raised element. The placement above the bust tip makes this a dramatic example — the displaced digit sits far from the normal date area in a location that draws immediate attention once identified. James Barton Longacre's Indian Head design was struck at Philadelphia from 1859 through 1909. In 1873 alone, two date variants — Open 3 and Closed 3 — add an attribution layer beyond the misplaced date itself. Both FS-1302 and Snow-6 should be cited when referencing this variety to ensure unambiguous attribution across both reference systems.

Attribution History

• FS-1302, Snow-6