1865 1C Fancy 5, BN PCGS号2082

David Hall

There are two varieties of 1865 Indian cents, the "Fancy 5" and the "Plain 5". On the Fancy 5, the top of the 5 looks "curvey" while on the Plain 5 the top of the 5 is straighter looking. Initially, it was thought that the Fancy 5 was rarer, but over the years the Plain 5 appears to be scarcer, perhaps by a factor of 2 to 1.

 The 1865 Fancy 5 Indian cent is a scarce coin in circulated grades and a very scarce coin in mint state. It is rarer than the 1864 (no L) and is perhaps a little less rare than the 1866, 1867, and 1868. Most of the mint state examples are Red & Brown, with about 20% to 25% of the total mint state survivors being Full Red. Gem Full Red specimens are available from time to time.