3227

1859 Indian Head 1c

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1,900.00 USD Estimated At:3,800.00 - 4,200.00 USD
1859 Indian Head 1c
An outstanding toned mirror Proof example with gem quality surfaces and wonderful eye appeal. Essentially razor-sharp as per the qualifications for the grade. Popular and important this is a one year type design featuring James B. Longacre's Indian head design coupled with a simple reverse Laurel wreath around the denomination, "ONE CENT". Unbeknownst to many, the obverse portrait is actually "Lady Liberty", a Caucasian representation of Liberty borrowed from Longacre's Three Dollar design of 1854. She is wearing a headdress of a Native American of the Chippewa tribe, obviously stylized. The reverse is more properly an olive wreath, although the laurel wreath description is to some extent accurate since their foliage is similar. Proof mintage was only 800, but several hundred unsold coins were later melted. (#2247)<p><i>The Gonzaga Collection</i>