1869 Indian Head Cent Repunched Date FS-303 Snow-4

Description

A semi-key date in the Indian Head Cent series with a mintage of just 6.4 million pieces, the 1869 repunched date variety FS-303 (Snow-4) shows clear evidence of the 9 digit having been punched twice, with the earlier impression of the 9 visible beneath the final position. During this era, individual date digits were punched by hand into each working die, and slight misalignment between the initial and corrective punches created the doubled impression that defines repunched date varieties. The Fivaz-Stanton FS-303 designation and Snow-4 catalog number both reference this specific die, providing cross-reference points across the two major attribution systems for Indian Head Cent varieties. James Barton Longacre's Indian Head design, introduced in 1859, depicts Liberty wearing a Native American headdress on the obverse with a laurel wreath and shield on the reverse. The 1869 issue was struck in bronze composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, the standard composition adopted in 1864 when the denomination transitioned from copper-nickel to the thinner bronze planchet.

Attribution History

• FS-303, Snow-4