1868 Indian Cent. Proof-66 RB (PCGS).This charming Gem combines an autumn-brown obverse with an even more vivid medium rose reverse. The fields are appreciably reflective when viewed with the aid of strong lighting, and they form a lovely backdrop to frosty and fully struck design elements. From an estimated mintage of 600 Proofs, all of which were struck from a single die pairing. The obverse exhibits a couple of tiny die dots on the ribbon after the letter Y in LIBERTY and on Libertys neck between the ear and ribbon. On the reverse, close inspection with a loupe reveals a tiny die line between the central stroke and upright of the letter N in ONE. According to Rick Snow (2014), approximately 15% of extant examples of this issue exhibit nearly medallic alignment of the dies, and this is one of those coins. The author attributes this feature to restrikes produced in 1870 from a later reverse die state than seen on Proof 1869 cents. As a premium Gem this specimen is rare from a condition standpoint and eagerly awaiting inclusion in a high quality type or date set.
