1861 Indian Cent. MS-66 (PCGS).An exceptionally attractive example, the surfaces are toned in a blend of vivid salmon pink, orange-gold and pinkish-tan with the most vivid and varied colors evident over the left half of the obverse. This is a fully struck coin, as well, with a smooth and inviting appearance that will appeal to high quality type and date collectors. With only 10,100,000 circulation strikes produced, the 1861 boasts the lowest mintage among copper-nickel Indian cents. Perhaps understandably, this is the scarcest date of its type, the paucity of survivors also explained by the wholesale redemption and melting of examples during the 1870s. Even so, Mint State survivors are fairly plentiful in an absolute sense, due to hoarding of copper-nickel cents during the Civil War. Few such coins are as carefully preserved this upper end Gem, however, which fact is sure to result in spirited competition for this offering among discerning collectors.
