1887 Indian Head Cent Doubled Die Obverse FS-101 Snow-1

Description

Listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide as FS-101 and cataloged as Snow-1, this 1887 Indian Head Cent doubled die obverse is the premier doubled die variety in the Indian Head series. Doubling is visible on LIBERTY in the headdress and on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the obverse rim, with the strongest doubling appearing in AMERICA and progressively weakening in a counterclockwise direction. The doubling pattern is consistent with a Class II distorted hub mechanism, where slight misalignment between hub and die during the hubbing process created a secondary impression that shifted the design elements. The Cherrypickers' designation FS-101 confirms this as the first obverse doubled die listed for the 1887 date, and the Snow-1 attribution in Kevin Flynn and John Wexler's Indian Head Cent reference places it as the primary variety. Designed by James Barton Longacre and struck in bronze composition at the Philadelphia Mint, this coin was produced during the mature period of the Indian Head series. The progressive weakening of doubling from AMERICA counterclockwise provides a textbook example of Class II hub distortion. This rotational doubling pattern, where the spread decreases as it moves counterclockwise from the strongest point, is consistent with a Class II (distorted hub) doubling mechanism.

Attribution History

• FS-101, Snow-1