Treasures among Treasure Novodel 1863 “L” on Ribbon Indian Cent
by: Dr. Ron Brown | Friday, August 27, 2021 | 1 Comments
At
the World’s Fair of Money show in Chicago Illinois, I was introduced by a friend
in person to an amazing coin, the 1863 “L” on Ribbon Indian Head Cent. Before
this time, over the phone, I recall a conversation with a coin collector who
stated that he found such a coin in circulated condition.This would be a true “Treasure among Treasure”
find. He said that he sent it to Rick Snow. Given that I lost everything in the
fire of Sept 2020 in northern California, I cannot retrieve or recall this
person identity. If as stated, I bet Rick will know.
Any regular reference book on coins such as the “Red Book,” does not show an 1863 L on ribbon Indian cent. It first appears on regular issued coins in 1864. Back on November 8th of 1903, this coin was noticed by a Mr. Wm Hidden who communicated to the ANA about it. The knowledge of an 1863 L on ribbon centbeing mentioned in any numismatic publication seems first to surface in the December of 1903 issue of the ANA’s “The Numismatist, page 375.” (see below) I hear reports of an even earlier published date for an auction, but I could not locate that.