1888 Indian Head Cent Repunched Date FS-302 Snow-2

Description

Cross-referenced as Fivaz-Stanton FS-302 and Snow-2 in the standard Indian Head Cent variety references, this 1888 Indian Head Cent features a repunched date variety where all three 8s in the date are repunched inside the top of the original 8s. The consistent repunching across all three digits — each showing secondary loops within the upper portion of the 8 — indicates a single corrective repunching event that shifted the date punch slightly relative to its initial impression, uniformly affecting every 8 in the 1888 date. This consistency distinguishes it from varieties where only isolated digits show repunching, confirming the date punch assembly was moved as a unit rather than individual digits being corrected independently. The repunching is visible as additional curved lines within the upper loops of each 8, identifiable under low magnification and providing a satisfying attribution experience for collectors due to the repetitive pattern across three identical digits. James B. Longacre designed the Indian Head Cent, featuring his interpretation of Liberty wearing a feathered headdress on the obverse and an oak wreath with shield on the reverse. The 1888 date was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. The 1888 Indian Head Cent had a substantial mintage of approximately 37.5 million pieces, making it reasonably accessible for variety collectors. During this era, date digits were punched into working dies using individual or gang punches, and the hand-driven process inherently created opportunities for slight positional errors requiring correction. The FS-302 Cherrypickers listing confirms this as a recognized variety worth searching for in accumulations of Indian Head Cents, while the Snow-2 designation provides the specialist reference number within Rick Snow's comprehensive Indian Head Cent die variety catalog.

Attribution History

• FS-302, Snow-2