Diagnostics Of Genuine 1877 IHC

Even if the weakness of the N is subtle it can still be easily recognized by the serifs on the N. The type 1 N has very wide thin serifs and the type 2 N has much narrower slightly thicker serifs. Look at the serifs at the top of the right upright and they are very different between the two types. See the genuine posted by Moe and the fake posted by Numismo to see the difference.

Hey Robuddo!

Can we see the obverse of your gorgeous 1877 IHC? (It's VERY pretty!)

Judging only on the reverse, there is no way I would have giving that coin a 35. It looks like a solid XF, perhaps AU :-O
Yeah, let's see the obverse!

vermontensium; the reverse is pristine and that's one reason I was attracted to it. It's also rare for PCGS/NGC to give a coin that has been heavily struck through grease/water a grade, period. They probably went on the conservative side as you suggested, but I'm just glad they gave it a grade. The key features on the obverse would grade VG on details, and I got it for a VG graysheet price, so there was no way I could turn it down.

One COOL 1877!!

Amazing! A key for series AND an error coin?!! Incredible! Talk about rare!!

I'm glad you showed us that!

Thanks!

very nice 1877

Number of Proof dies:
3 obverse & 3 reverse (avg 303 per var.).

Regular issue:
2 obverse die & 1 reverse die.

Total coins struck in 1877: 825,500. Average number of coins struck from a single die throughout the Indian head series = 200,000 coins.

Rick Snow basically concludes that there are either other dies or there really weren't 825,500 Indian cents struck that year ...

That explains alot to me. I always thought there was only 1 obverse die used. I've been trying to use the date as a diagnosis to counterfeits. No wonder its been giving me a tough time. Thanks guys.