1886 Indian Cent. Type I Obverse. MS-66 RD (PCGS). This glorious premium Gem exhibits iridescent salmon-pink overtones to a base of richly original reddish-orange mint color. Blushes of pale golden tinting are also evident here and there around the peripheries, most prominently at the upper obverse border. Striking detail is full from the rims to the centers, the texture universally pristine throughout. The more readily obtainable hub variety of the circulation strike 1886 Indian cent, the Type I Obverse has an estimated mintage of 10,000,000 pieces out of the 17,650,000 coins reportedly struck that year (this estimate per Rick Snow, 2014). Q. David Bowers (2006) provides an even more generous estimate for the 1886 Type I Obverse of 14,000,000 pieces produced. While plentiful in an absolute sense, Mint State examples are seldom full Red, as here, since many of the planchets used for this issue are lightly colored and toned quickly. Even more seldom do they offer premium Gem quality, further confirming this coin as a significant find for the astute bidder. From the Silver Springs Collection. Earlier ex Heritages Dallas Signature Auction of March 2018, lot 3013.
