1886 1C Type Two MS66 Red PCGS....

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Spectacular 1886 Type Two Cent, MS66 Red
Tied for Finest Certified

1886 1C Type Two MS66 Red PCGS. Although the PCGS coin number (2156) on the first generation holder implies that this is a Type One, it is actually the far scarcer Type Two. Therefore, the population data is a little misleading and should indicate that two MS66 Red examples have been certified.
In 1886 Charles Barber slightly altered the Indian Head cent design that had been used since the 1864 With L. The exact reasons for this change are unknown, but it may have been to remove the extraneous outlines around the devices and letters. This pronounced "Longacre Doubling" is seen on many of James B. Longacre's coins and is the result of the engraver applying too much force to the punches. Sometime after altering the original master die, Barber created a new master die that had a few slight differences. On Type One cents the last feather of the Indian's headdress points between the I and C in AMERICA, while on the Type Two variety the last feather is slightly lower and points between the C and A.
A total of 17,650,000 cents of both types were struck in 1886. Although the exact distribution is unknown, the Type Two is significantly scarcer. Richard Snow (2009) writes that about 3.6 million coins of this variety were minted, or about 20% of the total emission. That low number makes the Type Two one of the scarcest issues in the series, especially when one considers that the fabled 1877 had a mintage of just over 850,000 pieces--or just over one-fifth of the 1886 Type Two.
Of course, full Red examples are especially rare and desirable. The present coin has a lovely rose tint across the centers, with bright orange in the periphery. Most Type Two specimens are weakly struck, and this piece has some softness on Liberty's hair. The surfaces appear virtually perfect to the unaided eye, and a loupe locates only a few wispy grazes on Liberty's cheek and a couple of microscopic flecks. The eye appeal is outstanding, and this lustrous Premium Gem is among only three certified as MS66 Red by both NGC and PCGS combined. A specialist's delight. Population: 2 in 66 Red, 0 finer (6/09).(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 228E, PCGS# 92156, Greysheet# 1376)

Weight: 3.11 grams

Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc

View Certification Details from PCGS