1908 Indian Head Cent Misplaced Date FS-301 Snow-4

Description

Cross-referenced as FS-301 and Snow-4, this 1908 Indian Head Cent features a Misplaced Date variety where partial date impressions are visible in the lower denticles below the final date position. The Indian Head Cent was designed by James Barton Longacre, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams at 19.05 mm diameter. Misplaced dates differ from repunched dates in a significant way: rather than the digits being punched twice in nearly the same location, a misplaced date shows the date punch accidentally struck far from its intended position — in this case, into the denticle area below where the date would ultimately be placed. During die preparation, the die sinker corrected the error by placing the date in its proper position, but the initial low impression remained embedded in the die surface. The partial date visible in the denticles serves as the key diagnostic for this variety. The 1908 issue is the penultimate year of the Indian Head series, which concluded in 1909 with the introduction of the Lincoln Cent designed by Victor David Brenner.

Attribution History

• FS-301, Snow-4