1874 Indian Head Cent Doubled Die Obverse FS-101 Snow-1

Description

Cross-referenced as FS-101 (Fivaz-Stanton Cherrypickers guide) and Snow-1 in the Snow reference for Indian Head Cent die varieties, this 1874 Indian Head Cent features a Doubled Die Obverse with visible doubling on LIBERTY inscribed on the headdress ribbon — one of the most closely examined areas on Indian Head Cents because the incuse LIBERTY letters within the small ribbon provide a sensitive indicator of hub displacement. Doubled die obverse varieties are created during the die manufacturing process when the hub imparts a second, slightly offset impression onto the working die, and the LIBERTY ribbon on Indian Head Cents is particularly prone to showing this displacement because the letters are recessed into a narrow band where even minor misalignment produces overlap visible under moderate magnification. The 1874 Indian Head Cent was designed by James Barton Longacre and struck at the Philadelphia Mint — the sole production facility for this denomination throughout its 1859-1909 run. Composed of 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc, the coin weighs 3.11 grams with a diameter of 19.05 mm. The 1874 date is a moderately scarce issue in the Indian Head series, and attributed doubled die varieties like this FS-101 designation add significant collector interest and premium value beyond the base date. The Snow-1 attribution places this as the first documented doubled die obverse for the 1874 date in the comprehensive Snow catalog, which systematically numbers die varieties within each date of the Indian Head Cent series. Collectors examining potential specimens should focus on the LIBERTY letters under 7x to 10x magnification, comparing the letter edges against known single-die examples to identify the characteristic doubling signature.

Attribution History

• FS-101, Snow-1