FREE: A Quintet of Bronze 1880's Indian Head Pennies 1881 1882 1887 1888 1889

The listing, A Quintet of Bronze 1880's Indian Head Pennies 1881 1882 1887 1888 1889 has ended.

Here are 5 Indian Head cents, with dates 1881, 1882, 1887, 1888, 1889. All of these are bronze, made of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc.

Using Red Book standards, these all grade as good because the Red Book only uses the presence of LIBERTY to distinguish grades. Since some of these coins are more worn than others, I am going to use ANA (American Numismatic Association) standards, which help differentiate AG from G.

The 1881 has almost every aspect of a good grade, except where part of the legend on the obverse between 2:00 and 4:00 (OF AMERICA) is weak and merging with the rim. I would grade this G- overall. Also, there is a noticeable dent in the head feathers on the obverse. There is also a rim ding at 7:00. The reverse is much stronger, and would rate a solid G.

The 1882 has a strong date, good legends, good rims, and overall grades at a G+ IMO. There is some mild discoloration, and there is a scratch on the Indian's neck on the obverse. The reverse by itself would almost rate a VG.

The 1887 has a strong date and decent legends although on the obverse there is some merging of the rims into the legends, but not enough to call the legends "weak," which would be AG. The reverse is somewhat flat, but still not low enough to be AG either. Thus, I would grade this coin a fairly solid G.

The 1888 generally grades as a G, but has some problems: it has some pitting on the obverse and the sheen of the coin makes me suspect that it has been cleaned or had some type of chemical exposure.

The 1889 grades as a solid G, with a strong date, good legends, decent rim with small rim dings, and a nice reverse. However, I can't help but think that this coin has been cleaned on both sides, with its shiny sheen, and what looks like some residue on the obverse in picture 10, e.g., what looks like an outline on the feathers.

Listia rules apply. Questions/comments are welcome! Thank you for checking out my auction (and the other ones too)!