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1863 Proof
| Weight | 4.67 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Proof |
| Mintage | 460 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 88% Copper, 12% Nickel |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | James B. Longacre |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-317 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
The 1863 proof Indian Head cent was struck in a mintage of approximately 460 proofs. The collector market continued to function through the war, and the Mint produced proofs for sale in its standard sets. The 1863 is the last copper-nickel proof Indian Head cent before the composition change to bronze in 1864, making it the terminal proof of the copper-nickel subtype.
A collector building a proof type set of Indian Head cents needs at least two coins: one copper-nickel (1859-1863) and one bronze (1864-1909). The 1863 serves as the final example of the first composition, and its proof finish shows the pale, silvery surface of the copper-nickel alloy in its sharpest form. The contrast with a bronze proof from 1864 or later is striking: two different metals, two different color palettes, both carrying the same design.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR-63 | Proof (PR) | — | — |
How many 1863 Proof Indian Head Cents were minted?
What is a 1863 Proof Indian Head Cent made of?
What is the melt value of a 1863 Proof Indian Head Cent?
Is the 1863 Proof Indian Head Cent a key date?
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