1886 Indian Cent. Type II Obverse. MS-65 RB (PCGS). CAC.This vivid Indian cent retains plenty of original reddish-orange luster and is attractively toned in mottled emerald green, glossy brown and salmon pink iridescence. The sharp strike and smooth Gem quality add to the memorable eye appeal. For unknown reasons, Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber (or another engraver on staff) slightly modified the obverse of James Barton Longacres Indian cent in 1886, lowering the relief and reducing the width of Libertys portrait. The Type II Obverse is further distinguished by the removal of the extra outlines to the letters in the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the lack of a gap between the lower hair curl and the bottom of the ribbon. The most widely known feature of this obverse hub, however, is the lowermost feather in Libertys headdress pointing between the letters CA in AMERICA. The Type II Obverse received its first numismatic exposure in 1954 when Michigan dealer Jim Reynolds wrote of it in the <em>Numismatic Scrapbook</em> magazine. It has since been recognized as scarcer than its Type I Obverse counterpart, with Rick Snow (2014) estimating that of the 17,654,290 circulation strike cents produced in 1886 only 7,650,000 examples were of the Type II Obverse design.PCGS Population: 34; 3 finer in this category (MS-66 RB finest).From the Beasley Collection.
