How To Grade Indian Cents
Indian head cents circulated in the United States from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. The term "Indian head" refers to a Native American profile stamped on the side of the coin that holds President Lincoln's profile in modern pennies. On the other side of Indian head cents is stamped with the message "one cent" encircled by a wreath of wheat grains with a shield between the grains at the top of the design.
Lincoln pennies replaced Indian head pennies near the start of the 20th century, making Indian head pennies rarer and rarer in circulation. Today, Indian head pennies are worth quite a bit more than their original value, especially those in good condition. Grading them is a simple task that requires little skill or study.
Instructions
1. Clean a dirty penny by slightly dampening a soft cloth with warm water. Rub this over the penny very gently with a soft cloth to remove excess grime. Dry the penny thoroughly. If some darkness remains, it is likely tarnish and best left alone to avoid damaging the penny.
2. Place the penny on a piece of acid-free white paper. White paper will contrast with the penny and help your eye focus on the details. Acid-free paper will not further corrode or tarnish the copper. Use tweezers to turn the penny over for ease of movement and to avoid getting oils from your skin on the metal.
3. Hold a magnifying glass over the penny. Look at the details. If your penny is still shiny with little darkness or green-blue discoloration, it's considered a "red" or RD penny. This is a high grade of color. Pennies with a dull sheen and dark color are "red-brown" or RB. Very dark, rough pennies with rainbow or blue-green discoloration are called "brown" or BN coins.
4. Examine the coin's markings. Very clear, sharp-edged markings are graded with low numbers, beginning at 65 for the clearest details. Those that have lost some fine etch lines but are still clearly visible are 66 or 67. The numbers go up the less clear the images are. Images nearly worn away are graded around 70.
5. Combine the letters and the numbers appropriately. For instance, if your coin is bright and shiny with perfectly etched images, it would be 65RD. For a discolored penny with well-preserved etchings, use 66 or 67RB. The lowest grades with the least amount of color or clarity should be marked 68, 69 or 70BN.
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