J-302 1863 Indian Cent Pattern - J302 1863-L Transitional "with L" Indian 1c! NGC PF63 CAC. This extremely rare proof transitional “With L,” 1863 1C Indian Pattern, Judd-302, High R.7 is made from copper-nickel, as was the regular 1863 issue. The piece shows subdued mint luster within its devices. It is coppery-brown with shades of aqua and gold. The proof surfaces are attractive with minimal hairlines that are not observable without magnification. The grade of PF63 is confirmed by CAC, assuring that the coin is of premium quality and fully merits the grade assigned.

It is not known why the Judd-302 pattern was struck. Bronze “With L” regular and proof cents were struck in 1864. It is theorized by Snow that the pattern was made at a later time, perhaps for the collector market, since it was made from a reverse die that was used on proof 1869 and 1870 cents.

James B. Longacre designed the Indian Cent. The obverse shows Liberty facing left in profile wearing a LIBERTY inscribed headdress. Her hair is combed back and over her ear and flows down beneath the truncation. A band with four diamonds is attached to the back of the headdress and comes over her hair past the truncation. She is surrounded with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the date below. The reverse shows the denomination written as ONE CENT surrounded by an oak wreath with a Union shield at the top and a ribbon holding the parts of the wreath and three arrows together below. Dentils are around the periphery of both sides of the coin, and the edge is plain. The tiny L (for Longacre) is on the ribbon.

James Barton Longacre was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. When he finished his apprenticeship in Philadelphia as a bookseller and a banknote engraver, he worked on his own as an engraver of book illustrations and bank notes. His works included one on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and another on stage personalities. In 1830, Longacre planned to do a series of biographies of famous men in the military and the political arena. In 1834 the result of this series became the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans that was published in four volumes. Longacre and those who worked with him became famous because of this work. In 1844 Longacre came to work at the Mint. He was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacre’s appointment as Chief Engraver. Finally in 1854, Peale was fired by President Franklin Pearce. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollars, the three dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle.

The 1863 Indian cent pattern, Judd-302, has a rarity rating of high R.7, which means that 4 to 6 pieces are known in all grades. In its population report, NGC shows this coin is unique in all regular proof grades; however, there are 2 UCAM specimens that graded higher. At PCGS there are 3 higher. At CAC, as of March 2012, there is the present coin with 1 higher. These numbers do not account for resubmissions and crossovers.