1874 Indian Cent. MS-65 RD (PCGS). CAC. OGH.This wonderfully original Gem cent retains full mint color in deep, rich, medium orange. Subtle iridescent rose highlights drift over both sides, enhancing already strong eye appeal. Expertly preserved and free of detracting marks and carbon flecks, a shallow planchet void in the left obverse field is as made. The year 1874 saw a radical shift in the Mints handling of earlier dated bronze cents which it had ben redeeming since 1871. Rather than melt those coins and use the metal to strike new examples (as it had done from 1871 through 1873), the Mint began to reissue redeemed coins alongside newly struck pieces. Accordingly, the 1874 has a higher rate of survival than the bronze Indian cent issues of 1864 to 1873. Even so, this is a conditionally challenging issue with few survivors from the mintage of 14,187,500 pieces grading finer than Choice Mint State. Full Red Gems such as this are seldom offered, and this coin is far more attractive than many identically graded pieces that we have handled recently.PCGS Population: 41; 14 finer in this category (MS-66 RD finest).From the Beasley Collection.
