Here is a very rare Indian cent, one of only a half dozen of this intriguing variety thought to exist. The nicely mirrored fields are enhanced by sharp strike details and some light patina accenting the copper-nickel planchet. The devices are impressively sharp and cloaked in a frosty mint finish. Trivial hairlines surround the denomination on the reverse, but the obverse suggests a higher grade.

The Indian Head cent was designed by James B. Longacre and first issued in 1859. The obverse features Liberty facing left in profile wearing a Native American headdress inscribed LIBERTY. Liberty is surrounded with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date is below. While the 1859 coins had a laurel wreath on the reverse, in 1860 this was changed to an oak wreath, which surrounds the denomination ONE CENT. At the top is a Union shield and there is a ribbon at the bottom that holds the ends of the wreath and three arrows together.

This 1863-dated cent, Judd-302, features the adopted design for 1864, with the pointed bust truncation and Longacre's initial L on the ribbon. The reverse is the same design as had been used in 1863. In researching the data Rick Snow compiled, this particular reverse die was first used on regular issue coinage in 1871, indicating it was a restrike made for collectors in the 1870s. Per the uspatterns.com website, "These restrikes are related to the 1863 two cent, trime, half dime and dime restrikes which were offered with the quarter, half dollar and dollar which were struck with the motto 'In God We Trust' on the reverse." That website estimates that more than a half dozen examples are known of Judd-302, while Rick Snow traces seven distinct specimens in his 2014 reference The Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide. The present example is included in the Snow census. The 1863 L on Ribbon Indian cent was also struck in bronze (Judd-301/at least eight known) and aluminum (Judd-304/at least four known). There is also an unconfirmed example struck in oroide (Judd-303).

A letter to the editor, from William E. Hidden, published in the The Numismatist in 1903, pertains to the discovery of this piece:

Please find space…for a notice of my discovery of the little capital "L" on a nickel cent of 1863. It is usually credited with making its first appearance on the 1864 bronze cent and is spoken of 'L on ribbon,' etc.

This little L is extremely small, but is intentionally there to record Longacre's artistic design of workmanship...I cannot learn of any example but this one of mine and it is a Proof. It came from our old friend, Wm. P. Brown, among a lot of Proofs.

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Shipping

All winning lots will be shipped domestically via FEDEX, United States Postal Service, or DHL. Please note: A delivery confirmation shipment will be required for all orders. Delivery methods depend on the value of the shipment (for insurance purposes). All orders sent via Priority or Express require a signature confirmation. Please refer to the chart below to see how your winning lots will be shipped. Once your order has shipped, we will send you an email containing the order tracking information.

Total Value of Shipment Shipping Method
$1-$299 First Class
$300-$24,999 Priority or 2-Day
$25,000-$199,999 Express or Overnight
$200,000+ Contact us for Special Arrangements
Chart applies to U.S. addresses only -- items shipped to international addresses from the United States will be delivered via Fed Ex and items shipped from our Hong Office will be delivered via EMS with the exception of countries that EMS service does not cover.

If you would like your order shipped domestically via FedEx, please contact our Client Services department at (800) 458-4646. Additional charges may apply.

• How much do you charge for shipping and handling?

Within the United States: All orders are shipped via USPS. All orders will have the following postage and insurance charges in addition to a $.50 handling charge per lot added to the purchase price:

Invoice Amount Postage & Insurance
Up to $299 $12.00
$300- $499 $17.00
$500- $999 $20.00
$1000- $2499 $24.00
$2500- $4999 $27.00
$5000- $9999 $30.00
$10000- $14999 $40.00
$15000- $19999 $45.00
$20000- $24999 $50.00
$25000- $49999 $75.00
$50000- $74999 $100.00
$75000- $99999 $125.00
$100000- $249999 $250.00
$250000+ $400.00


All international orders (including Canada and Mexico) shipped from the United States will be shipped via Fedex or UPS depending on the destination country. All orders will have an international insurance fee of 1/2% of the subtotal of the invoice (hammer price plus buyers fee), with a minimum insurance fee of $10 plus a $.50 handling charge per lot in addition to the postage below. For shipments from our Hong Kong office via EMS, please refer to the Hong Kong Auction section.

Invoice Amount Postage
Up to $2,500 $50.00
$2,501-$10,000 $60.00
$10,001-$100,000 $75.00
$100,001-$200,000 $125.00
$200,001+ $500 or Contact us for Special Arrangements


All orders shipped from the Hong Kong, China Office are shipped via EMS with the exception of countries that EMS service does not cover. All orders will have an international insurance fee of 1/2% of the subtotal of the invoice (hammer price plus buyers fee), with a minimum insurance fee of $10 plus a $.50 handling charge per lot in addition to the postage below. The following countries have EMS coverage: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand. Our international shipping rates will apply to countries not covered by EMS. If you have special shipping requests from our Hong Kong, China Office, please contact [email protected].

Invoice Amount Postage
Up to $300 $35.00
$301-$1,000 $40.00
$1,001-$2,000 $45.00
$2,001-$3,000 $50.00
$3,001-$5,000 $55.00
$5,001-$10,000 $60.00
$10,001-$25,000 $70.00
$25,001-$50,000 $80.00
$50,001-$75,000 $90.00
$75,001-$100,000 $100.00
$100,000-$200,000 $125.00
$200,000+ $500.00 or Contact us for Special Arrangements

by Stack's Bowers Galleries
June 16, 2026 12:00 PM PDT
1550 Scenic Ave
Suite 150
Costa Mesa, CA, US 92626

Stack's Bowers Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $20
$100 $199 $20
$200 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 $999,999 $50,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000