| Author |
 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,282 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
I been collecting IHP's for quit awhile. I have noticed over time on some IHP's there is an initial or some type of mark at the bottom of the headband , buy the hair , right next to the last feather on some IHP's. I always wondered why some have it and others don't. Is this a mark just for proofs. I have checked some proofs and they don't have it. I was hoping some IH expert could explain this. I have tried to research it and came up with nothing. Image:  ce5a_1_sbl.jpg29.7 KB Image: 00d0_1.jpg44.28 KB Edited by ken8400
09/03/2008 12:05 pm
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I think you're referring to the small "L" which was added by the coin's designer, James B. Longacre, in 1864. |
|
Valued Member
 United States
84 Posts |
hi , The L was only on the 1864 though. I see this mark on alot of year coins. It looks like an O or a D.
Edited by ken8400
09/03/2008 5:01 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Quote:
The L was only on the 1864 though. I think you'll find the "L" is present (of course) on the "L" version for 1864, and every IHC from 1865 onward.  If you're seeing another character, perhaps you can point it out on your coin?  Edited by KurtS
09/03/2008 5:18 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
"If you're seeing another character, perhaps you can point it out on your coin?" good idea Image: 00d0_1.jpg42.73 KB Image: ce5a_1_sbl.jpg31.38 KB |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Yep, that's the position for Longacre's initial all right. If it looks like another character, perhaps someone here has seen this? Probably die wear or a chip--dunno. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4541 Posts |
how do you know that that indian is a proof
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
that is correct, the "L" is present on all 1865 and above IHC |
|
Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
I don't know if either is a proof. The mark is on some coins and not others. I was wondering why it's there. Thats all. In the RedBook it does say that the L is on all coins. Just wonder how it could wear so fast on others , were it's placed. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
You may not see the designer initial on all post-1864 IHCs but it should be there at the time of minting. It is one of the high points so that area can wear quickly and it could also be accidentally removed due to abrading(polishing) of the die to remove some damage or clash marks. The die details are measured in thousandths of an inch depth so it would not take much to remove a fine detail next to the field in that manner. You can also have a weak strike resulting in overall weaker detail of the coin or you can even have a filled die where grease and other gunk clog parts of the die resulting in a complete lack of detail in the clogged area. There are other cases of designers initials getting obliterated in the minting process- VDB on shoulder of bust on Lincoln cents, FG on Kennedy halves, AW on Walking Liberty halves. Designer initials are always small and inconspicuous so it is easy to see why the initials might disappear every so often. |
| |
Replies: 9 / Views: 1,282 |
|
ce5a_1_sbl.jpg
00d0_1.jpg
Posted 09/03/2008 4:59 pm
