1869 Indian Head Cent with eccentric reverse

frech001 · New Member

I recently purchased an 1869 Indian head cent on eBay. When I examined it under a scope I noted that text on the obverse appeared to be stamped twice, the second stamping squeezing out the first. But more striking was that the reverse is about 20 degrees off from verticle with the front. Here are images I've posted on photobucket: http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx240/frech001/1869Obverse001.jpg

http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx240/frech001/1869Reverse.jpg

Is this coin a major mint error or is it a counterfeit? I'm stymied. It has driven me to search out, find and join this forum. So perhaps even if it is counterfeit I believe I will get value out of this forum.

Rolling Eyes

coop · Expert Member

Appears normal to me. A closer view of the questioned are might help.

eagames · Expert Member

It looks about normal to me too.

The reverse might have some die errosion/fatigue, is that what you see?
Try getting a closer pic of what you see, you also might try a closeup on the date.

I think rotation with about 15 degrees is common.

And a big welcome to the forum Smile

frech001 · New Member

Thanks Coop and Ed for the quick response. I hadn't seen anything abnormal on the reverse. I also haven't ever noticed a coin that had the two sides anything but parallel to each other so that when you flipped a coin with the obverse rotated properly from top to bottom the opposite side was also oriented properly. With this one they are almost exactly as I have them positioned in the two photos about 20 degrees off from each other. But if this is normal, then that's great also.

Thanks

Al

MorgansRmine · Advanced Member

What your seeing on the lettering is called 'Longacre doubling'. Named after the designer and very common on the Indian head cents. Should have stated this is not real doubling.

eagames · Expert Member

Dick · Expert Member

Al, welcome to the forum! You will find amny answers to your questions, so don't be shy.
Now to the subject at hand; I see nothing out of the norm, with the two photos posted. Is the area you question marked by the dark mark? If so, a close-up of the area in queartion would help a great deal. Other than that stated here, and above, iIsee just another IHC.
Dick

GarryN · Expert Member

I dont see the doubling in those pictures. As far as the rotated die, Al, anything less than 45 degrees isnt even taken into account. Now if you find one with 90 degrees or 180 degrees rotation you have something there.

frech001 · New Member

Thanks for the expert answers. I set up my disecting microscope with a camera and took a nice photo showing the Longacre doubling on this 1869 Indian Head penny. I thought it might be illustrative for others. http://s759.photobucket.com/albums/xx240/frech001/?action=view&current=1869Longacredoubling.jpg

Al

eagames · Expert Member

Good photo!
It shows it clearly and it is Longacre doubling.

Smile

Dick · Expert Member

Nice photo! You,"bisected" that coion, very nicely Wink

Dick