1859 Indian Cent. MS-65 (PCGS). Splendid satin surfaces exhibit blushes of pale powder blue tinting to otherwise dominant pinkish-tan patina. A snappy example with strong luster and an overall sharp strike. James Barton Longacres widely collected Indian cent made its debut in 1859 with a mintage of 36,400,000 circulation strikes and approximately 800 Proofs. The obverse portrait, in fact, is not that of a Native American but rather a representation of Liberty wearing a feathered headdress. The artists original concept for this design was introduced in 1849 on the gold dollar, and subsequently went through various refinements (including on the three-dollar gold piece first issued in 1854) before appearing on the Indian cent. The reverse of the 1859 cent exhibits a simple olive wreath without a shield at its top, a design that was abandoned in 1860 in favor of the Oak Wreath with Shield design. (The olive wreath has gone down in numismatic literature as a laurel wreath due to Mint Director James Ross Snowdens designation from 1860.) The 1859 Indian cent, therefore, is a one year design type that is eagerly sought by collectors. Many 1859 Indian cents have survived in Mint State, but most are poorly defined due to the Mints widespread use of worn dies in production of this issue.
