1886 Indian Head Cent (Type 2) Die Clash (Reverse — Nose, Forehead, and Chin)

Description

The 1886 Type 2 Indian Head cent exhibits a die clash on the reverse that transferred facial features of Liberty from the obverse die. Designed by James Barton Longacre and struck in bronze (95% copper) from 1864 through 1909, the Indian Head cent's Type 2 reverse is distinguished from Type 1 by the last headdress feather pointing between the C and A of AMERICA rather than between the I and C. The Type 2 design was introduced partway through the 1886 production run, making die clash varieties on the Type 2 reverse less commonly encountered — fewer Type 2 dies entered service before year end. On this clashed die, the nose and forehead of Liberty transferred to the reverse below and through the C in CENT; the chin impression landed above the O in ONE; and feather details appear inside the right wreath. Die clashes occur when obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them. Because the mint typically polished clashed dies to extend life, examples with strong unpolished clash marks are significantly scarcer and command meaningful premiums over cleaned or lightly clashed examples.