1867/67 Indian Cent. Snow-1b, FS-301. Repunched Date. MS-64 RD (PCGS).Lovely satin surfaces retain full mint color in a blend of pale rose and light orange shades. Sharply to full struck throughout with exceptionally well preserved surfaces that are nearly in the Gem Mint State category. A phenomenal condition rarity for this eagerly sought variety, there is much to recommend this beautiful example to advanced Indian cent enthusiasts.<p>First reported by our own Q. David Bowers in issue No. 5 of his <em>Empire Topics</em> (1959), the 1867/67 is now regarded as one of the top repunched date varieties in the Indian cent series. Repunching at the tops of the digits 67 in the date is so pronounced that this variety is attributable without the aid of a loupe. This variety is also elusive in all grades, a fact that is at least partly due to the scarcity of the circulation strike 1867 issue as a whole. Writing in the 2014 edition of his <em>Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide</em>, series expert Rick Snow has this to say about the rarity of full Red examples:<p><em>"[The 1867/67] is virtually unknown in full red color. Planchets used for this variety typically exhibit a streaky woodgrain toning. This woodgrain look, while not unappealing, [condemns] the coin from the outset as never being able to be graded as a full red."</em><p>Combining absolute scarcity with condition rarity, this phenomenal example -- a highlight of the ESM Collection -- numbers among the finest 1867/67 cents known to PCGS and would serve as a focal point in any cabinet.<p>According to Snow, there are two die marriages of this variety. Snow-1b, represented here, was struck from a reverse die that developed a set of spindly cracks from the border between 6 oclock and 6:30 to the left ribbon end and the adjacent arrow feather.From the ESM Collection.
