1903 IHC Repunched Date

Bob P · Site Admin

I don't collect Indian head Cents except for the varieties I find occasionally. Last night, I found this one. Does anyone have any information on whether or not this one has been identified before? Many thanks!

Dick · Expert Member

Bob, I believe Kurt is your man! I ran thru a bunch of IHC yesterday, but was barely able to see the darte, so the only one I took with me was a possible '08-S. No "S". Maybe next time.
Dick

KurtS · Senior Member

Thanks Dick! I try by looking in my Snow guide and compare details. Very Happy

The RPD south of the 3 is pretty distinctive and most resembles the Snow-2 3/3 (s) in my book--more conclusive with whole date position. I looked for an online photo so you can attribute yourself, but no luck.

GarryN · Expert Member

Bob, I have the Snow Attribution Guide also. The Snow-2 is described as "Obverse, Wide bold repunching visible at the base of the 3". "Reverse, Shield points connected to the denticles. Olove leaf away from the denticles."

The Snow-3 is a repunched 1903. "Obverse, Wide strong repunching to the southeast at the base on all digits. mostly at the base of the 1 and 0. Additional repunching visible at the base of the 3 to the west." "Reverse, shield points connected to the denticles. First olive leaf away from the denticles."

Snow-23 This might be yours. "Obverse, Minute repunching visible under the middle point of the 3 and under the base." "Reverse, Left shield point and olive leaf away from the denticles."

Dick · Expert Member

Kurt, there are several '03's in the batch. I think I have seen all of them, since I go thru the whole dish full, each visit. the '03 stuck in my mind, as wwell as the '07, of which there are many, as well. Nothing before 1880, or I would have taken them, condition notwithstanding. If there is a hole, there is a need! I look at thr Snow site, for references, but it is not very helpful, because there are no, or only a photo, and it cannot possibly show all the varieties. The info is fine, but "a picture says 10,000 words", but can't show many varieties!
Dick

KurtS · Senior Member

My effort to find online photos was fruitless, so here are attribution shots for a few discussed varieties (credit to Rick Snow and his great attribution guides). This could be the S-2 (or possibly a new one), but it would be helpful to see the whole date. You could always send to Rick Snow for an attribution, and your name would be on the discovery coin. Very Happy

Your detail of 03:

Dick · Expert Member

kurt, tghank you for your efforts,and the results, as well. I will go thru all my '03's, as a matter of course, and havbing these pictures handy, maybe I can pin one down!
Kurt, after re-reading your post, and mine, as well, I came to the conclusion that You were mis-led into thinking the "03 IHC's ARE in the batch of coins I brought home. Not so! The IHC's are still in the dish!, but I'll take a note, and pull the '03's next time. Under the scope, it will show I made a good purchase, or That I added more IHC's to my accumulation! LOL! By the same token, The different pictures can be used to identify certain details of the numbers, or letters involved, by comparison of the number, or letter alone. It does not necessarily say it is the exact die, but in the case of the RPD, RPN, or EP rack of four numbers The details will indicate a close match with a S#. Then one can be more precise in the search pattern. Correct?
Dick

Bob P · Site Admin

It sure looks like the Snow 2. The Snow 3 is in the Cherry pickers guide, so I eliminated that one pretty early. The other RPD for 1903 9Snow 6) in the CPG shows a rather minute repunching on the 1 only. I can't understand why this one and the bolder one could be worth the same price. Anyway, I have a guide coming, but what I am looking for is the one these pics came from Kurt. What is the complete name of this guide??
Thank you all for your help. I now might want to actually attribute the other 5 IHC RPDs I have. I also have a very nice 1865 (FS-02-1865-1302) in MS63B 2 cent RPD, and a shield nickel RPD.

The pics below show all I have as far as RPD's go. Most are very minor, but there are also a few nice ones as well:

KurtS · Senior Member

Bob,
That's sure a nice 1865 Shield Nickel! Shocked

I almost see several repunchings in digits. Those Colombian Centavos are amazing too.

The name of the Snow guides are "The Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide". I got mine directly from Rick Snow. I might as well plug since I used those pics. Laughing

If I can help further, I'll take a look at the rest this evening and see what I can see.

Dick · Expert Member

kurt, are you thinking the same as I, the whole "rack was punched at an angle, and then re=punched? Not to mention that the "5" looks like it had an extra bit of care, and attention. Note the knob on the topend.
Bob, those are beautys. I just got a "grab-bag of world coins, and just left a deposit for them. I'll list how many I keep, when I return the 'left-overs". there are several colombuan, Brazil , I believe there are around 40 countries represented. Looks like I may have to get a "Krause".
Dick

eagames · Expert Member

KurtS · Senior Member

Dick, I bet you're right. Very Happy

From what I know of IHCs, they used a "gang punch" on the date. From what I see, the first impression really looks off-angle. I'm really guessing on several RPDs, but the detail on the 65 looks complicated. I would probably go slowly insane if I attempted an overlay. Laughing

Dick · Expert Member

Kurt, After you having drawn my attention to it, I'll have to amend my last poet, and agree that the "65" is tilted towards the left, slightly. Yes, an overlay "could be harmful to your health"! LOL
Dick

Bob P · Site Admin

Kurt,
The 1865 is actually the 2 cent piece, and the 1868 is the Shield Nickel. Those two are my favorites, and I guess you can see why.

Dick,
I always pay particular attention to world coins from Columbia and Brazil. There are many known real nice RPDs and doubled dies from South America.

Thanks again guys for all your help!

Dick · Expert Member

Bob, there is only one from Brazil, so far Also one fromChile. I am just getting started, so anything is possible.
Kurt, do you or anyone else kmow if there is a coin from (???Austria???) that is shaped like the "O" , with the little "ears"? I have one, and it resembles a planchet, with the upset edge foem, and definitely a "cookie-cutter" type of blamk, appearance. It appears to be brass, and some one painted a "smiley" face on it. I'll post a picture of it, and several other "finds, some coins, others tokens, and yet another, what should never happen to a nice coin!
Dick
Dick