1897 Indian Head Cent (Proof) Cameo
About This Coin
James B. Longacre's Indian Head cent remains a cornerstone of nineteenth-century American numismatics, a design that captured the transition of a young nation. By the late 1890s, the Philadelphia Mint had mastered the art of proof coinage, though producing distinct cameo contrast on copper remained an exceptional challenge.
This 1897 representative, certified PR65RD Cameo by PCGS, showcases that elusive contrast. Finding a late-nineteenth-century bronze proof that has retained its full, original red color is difficult enough; finding one with the frosted devices and deep, mirrored fields required for a Cameo designation is a true numismatic event.
At the Gem level, this coin offers the precise detail and deep reflectivity that Longacre intended for the presentation pieces of his era. It is an outstanding acquisition for the collector who appreciates the technical heights of late Victorian minting.
