1865 1C Fancy 5 Indian Cent Double Struck PCGS VF20. This Civil War dated Indian 1865 Error Cent is double struck. This 1865 Indian Cent Error is a pleasant chocolate and steel brown with generous quantities of iridescent toning. The VF20 graded coin shows some wear, as expected; however, the fields are original and clean for the grade. On the obverse the second strike is bolder than the first as seen at the date, and on the reverse the second strike is weaker in the details of the wreath and top of the shield.

A double strike is caused by a malfunction in the minting process. Instead of being properly ejected after receiving a strike, the struck coin fall between a die pair that is operating very rapidly. It gets a second strike and has a second impression as a result. In this particular case, it is unusual to see design elements on both sides of the coin. A double date adds desirability to the piece. Off center coins are described by the orientation of the design according to positions of the clock. They are also described by the amount of the design that is visible. This coin is 20% off center at 1 oclock.

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.