Indian Cent Variety Discovery: A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide to Submitting Your Find

If You’re New to Indian Cent Varieties, Start Here

Holding an old Indian Head Cent and wondering if you’ve found something special? I remember that excited-but-confused feeling when I found my first potential variety. This beginner’s walkthrough shows exactly how to get your coin examined – from your kitchen table to official recognition.

The Fundamentals of Indian Cent Varieties

What Actually Makes a Coin Special?

Between 1859-1909, the mint created accidental variations collectors treasure today. Keep an eye out for:

• Repunched dates (where numbers were stamped multiple times)
• Doubled dies (like a shadow behind the design)
• Overdate errors (a date stamped over another year)
• Major die cracks (thick raised lines on the surface)

Pro tip: Grab Richard Snow’s Indian Cent Attribution Guide (4th edition) – it’s our bible for identifying these quirks.

Your Starter Toolkit (No Fancy Gear Needed)

• A $10-20 jeweler’s loupe (10x magnification works great)
• A bright LED flashlight – angle it sideways across the coin
• Your smartphone camera (use macro mode for close-ups)
• A ruler with millimeter markings

Your Step-by-Step Submission Roadmap

Step 1: The First Professional Look

Skip PCGS/NGC for now – ANACS is better for beginners because:

• No membership required
• Cheaper research fees ($45-$75)
• They’ll compare your coin to known varieties automatically

My first ANACS result came back: “AU55 – Unlisted Repunched Date 1889” – proof my find was unusual!

Step 2: Reaching Out to The Expert

Once ANACS confirms your coin’s unusual, email Rick Snow at indiancent.com:

• Subject line: “Potential New Variety – [Your Coin Date]”
• Attach:
  • ANACS certificate number
  • Super-clear photos of date and design
  • Notes about what makes your coin different
• Sample email:
  
  Subject: Possible New 1907 IHC Variety - Die Break at Liberty's Neck

  Hi Rick,

  My ANACS-certified 1907 cent (#123456) shows an unusual die break not in your guide. The attached photos show a raised line extending from Liberty's neck toward the rim. ANACS noted this as "unlisted die break."

  Could this be a new variety? Appreciate your insight!

  Best regards,
Sarah from Ohio


Keep it short – experts appreciate clear details!

Step 3: Making It Official

If Rick says “yes, this is new!”:

• Resubmit to ANACS with:
• Your original slab
• Rick’s confirmation email
• A note saying “Please add Discovery Specimen label”
• Budget 1-2 months for this final step

3 Truths Beginners Often Miss

Myth 1: Fancy Grading Companies Are Better

Reality check: ANACS gives you:

• Faster responses about unusual coins
• Clear notes when something’s not in the books
• Special labels for discovery coins

Myth 2: Quick Fame and Fortune

Real timelines for new finds:

• 3 months – expert verification
• 1 year – mention in coin newsletters
• 2+ years – value stabilization (if it catches on)

Myth 3: Every Error Is Valuable

Your coin’s worth depends on:

• How obvious the mistake is (can you see it without a loupe?)
• Condition (worn coins get less attention)
• How many others surface later

Your First Submission Checklist

1. Snap clear close-up photos (date + full designs)
2. Mail to ANACS with “Variety Research” request
3. Email Rick Snow when ANACS confirms it’s unusual
4. Resubmit for that prized Discovery label
5. Keep all paperwork – future collectors will want this history!

What Every New Collector Should Remember

• This isn’t a sprint – it’s a 6-18 month process
• Clear photos matter more than perfect photography skills
• ANACS is your best first stop
• Rick’s opinion is the final word on Indian Cents
• The real reward is adding to coin history

Here’s what keeps me hunting: that 1907 cent I found now appears in collection databases as “Sarah’s Die Break.” Was it life-changing money? No. But knowing I added one puzzle piece to numismatic history? That’s the magic no price tag can capture.

Related Resources

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