1863 W/L Indian Head Cent

In one word I would say "Speechless". I never stop learning on this site! Thanks for the enlightenment!

WOW! that is all, I'm not often speechless but I am on this pattern. Thanks MisterT for giving me a great descriptor.

EDIT: You example is nicer than all the ones I looked up at Heritage, beating out the PR66RD* PR65RD and RB examples, it may have more die polishing lines but the color is much more pleasing and almost none of the distracting spots or discoloration areas like all the others have.

Never too old to learn something new. I had no idea there was a '63 with the L on the ribbon. Thanks for the education.

Thanks for sharing!
Looking fwd to some of your other AMAZING collection!
smat

Stunning!

Dearborn- 1864 was a transitional year for Indian heads.

One of those changes was an L was added on the ribbon, for the engraver James Longacre.

There are 1864 No-L (N/L) on ribbons and With-L (W/L) on ribbons.

Also Dearborn,

Since the design change came in 1864 to add the "L", there should have been no "patterns" that had this design.

This coin should be considered to be a "novodel". This coin struck 6-7 years after the date on the coin, it technically should not be considered a Pattern and assigned a Judd number. Likely this was a restrike unauthorized by the government but allowed by Mint Director Henry R Linderman, whom has ties to the striking of the infamous 1804 Class III dollar among other back-dated coins.

It's widely suspected that it was made at the mint directors order. He was known for creating many fantasy pieces, back-dated coins, and restrikes. As a collector himself, upon his passing the government intervened when his collection was auctioned and pulled rare and questionable origin off metal pieces.

It is possible he was responsible for all the class III 1804 dollars too!