1864 Indian Head Cent - Bronze No L - CU-1c-1864-08 & 09 (no L) Rim Cud

Description

Cataloged as CU-1c-1864-08 & 09, this listing covers two cataloged rim cuds on the "No L" bronze variety of 1864. The year 1864 marked a pivotal transition for the Indian Head Cent series: mid-year, the composition changed from copper-nickel to a thinner bronze planchet, and designer James B. Longacre's initial "L" was added to the ribbon behind the Indian's neck. "No L" specimens represent the earlier bronze strikes before the initial was incorporated into the die. A rim cud represents the loss of part of the die's rim gutter: on the coin it appears as a raised interruption in the design rim that tracks the rim's course. Bronze Indian Head Cents from 1864 without the L are collected as a distinct variety, and examples bearing significant die breaks add mechanical error interest to an already notable issue.

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