1863 Pattern Indian Cent. Judd-302, Pollock-365. Rarity-7. Copper-Nickel. Plain Edge. Proof-63 (PCGS). CAC. Here is a very rare Indian cent pattern, one of only a half dozen of the variety thought to exist. The nicely mirrored fields are enhanced by sharp striking details and some light patina accenting the copper-nickel planchet. The devices are impressively sharp and cloaked in frosty satin luster. Trivial hairlines surround the denomination on the reverse, but the obverse suggests a higher grade.The Indian Head cent was designed by James B. Longacre and was first issued in 1859. The obverse features Liberty facing left in profile wearing an Indian headdress inscribed LIBERTY, although she is not an actual Native American. Liberty is surrounded with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date is below. While the 1859 coins had a laurel wreath on the reverse, in 1860 this was changed to oak wreath, which surrounds the denomination ONE CENT. At the top is a Union shield and there is a ribbon at the bottom that holds the ends of the wreath and three arrows together. This 1863-dated pattern cent, Judd-302, features the adopted design for 1864, with the pointed bust truncation and Longacres "L" initial on the ribbon. The reverse is the same design as had been used in 1863. In researching the data Rick Snow compiled, this particular reverse die was first used on regular coinage in 1871, indicating it was a restrike made for collectors in the 1870s. According to information at uspatterns.com, "It is possible that these restrikes are related to the 1863 two cent, trime, half dime and dime restrikes which were offered with the quarter, half dollar and dollar which were struck with the In God We Trust on the reverse." That website estimates that about a half dozen are known of Judd-302, the copper-nickel version of the 1863-L pattern cent. It was also struck in bronze (Judd-301/about six known) and aluminum (Judd-304/only three believed known). There is also an unconfirmed example struck in oroide (Judd-303). Only three Judd-302 patterns have been certified finer by PCGS than the currently offered Choice Proof specimen.A letter to the editor, from William E. Hidden, published in the 1903 volume of <em>The Numismatist</em>, pertains to the discovery of this piece:“Please find space…for a notice of my discovery of the little capital “L” on a nickel cent of 1863. It is usually credited with making its first appearance on the 1864 bronze cent and is spoken of ‘L on ribbon,’ etc."“This little L is extremely small, but is intentionally there to record Longacre’s artistic design of workmanship…. I cannot learn of any example but this one of mine and it is a Proof. It came from our old friend, Wm. P. Brown, among a lot of Proofs.” From the Harrington Collection. Earlier ex our sale of August 2012, lot 11596.
