1864 Copper Nickel 1C (1864 Indian Cent Copper Nickel) NGC MS63 CAC. Unlike today, where “pennies” are strewn about all over the ground without a thought, working-class Americans in the 1850’s watched their “pennies” because every penny lost was a lost hour of work. Many Americans in the 1850’s lobbied for the cent to be reconsidered, not because of its purchasing power, but because of its size. The cent that was being minted at the time was almost as large and heavy as today’s half dollar and many declared that it was just too big.

After the production of the ill fated Flying Eagle cent came the minting of the Indian Head cent. James Barton Longacre is credited with the design, a portrait of an Indian girl or more likely a Caucasian wearing a feathered headdress. Inspiration for the Indian girl is said to have come from Longacre’s daughter, Sarah but this was found out to be pure fiction. Researchers have found drawings of virtually the same female head in Longacre sketchbooks from 10 years earlier, always with the same adult proportions and the same long "Greek" nose. And the artist himself referred to this profile in letters and official memoranda as being that of the Venus Accroupie, or "Crouching Venus," a Greco-Roman statue displayed at that time in a Philadelphia museum. The coin was received quite well by the American people and continues to be a symbol of America ’s past.

The example for sale is the copper-nickel variety with the oak wreath and the small federal shield that adorns the top of the reverse. The copper-nickel’s light color led to the coin being called the “White Cent.” The composition of the Indian Head cent was changed in the second part of 1864, after war related hoarding required the Mint to switch to a cheaper bronze alloy.

The example that is featured for sale is a stunning one, graded MS-63 by NGC. The grade of the coin is further verified by the Coin Acceptance Corporation, “CAC.” This coin features bright red surfaces that remain unscathed from any wear as well as a precise strike that makes the details on this coin pop.