When browsing Indian Head cents, a collector may quickly and accurately determine the coin's grade by focusing on LIBERTY and the headband on the obverse design. The number of visible letters and their displayed prominence is an integral part of the overall grade and can be used as the sole guideline for the majority of coins. Grading coins showing a poor strike is always a challenge. Most Indian Head cents were sufficiently struck at the center of the obverse, so this QuickGrade guide should apply, yet the occasional example minted with missing or mushy letters creates difficulty. If such a coin is suspected, it would be best to consider only those letters not impacted in the case of a split design or to grade upwards if the entirety of LIBERTY appears poorly struck. Coins with poorly mixed planchets also make grading by any method more difficult because alternating colors make details hard to see. The minting of coins with this issue was especially common in the years following the Civil War. In most cases, however, a collector can reliably grade an Indian Head cent by focusing on LIBERTY. This QuickGrade guide and the entire concept of grading by a single part of the design will not be 100% accurate, but it has proven to produce results that are usually correct.
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The three images above are of three different coins. It did not seem prudent to provide a close-up image of any one example for such a low-grade coin with a profound lack of detail. This is what an Indian Head cent looks like in the grade of "fair" or "about good." There is no sign of any letter of LIBERTY, and one can barely discern where Liberty's headband is supposed to be. The middle image and that on the right might approach the "good" grade, but the lack of differentiation between the headband top and the base of the feathers hold it back. The image on the left is not even close, and this would represent a clear "fair" coin.
An Indian Head cent grading "good" will typically have no sign of LIBERTY. Portions of the headband top may show, and there are often hints that one letter, usually the opening "L," may almost be viewable. A collector will know the coin is better than an AG because the headband/feather line is no longer flat. LIBERTY on a "good" coin is not good at all--it has been obliterated--but the coin gives the appearance that some detail on the headband is near to showing.
Any Indian Head cent that shows a portion of some letters of LIBERTY, but not all of them, is likely to fall into the "very good" range. Typically, the "L" and "I" make themselves known on such a coin, but other letters, sometimes the top of the "T," can be found as well. This is roughly what is depicted in the example image above. In most cases, none of the letters are complete. If a collector has a coin where detail just barely exists on the headband, it is a VG.
A "fine" coin is one where every letter of LIBERTY shows to some extent, but the motto is weak and blurry. In the example image, the "L," "I," and "T" are plainly visible. The "R" is visible, yet poorly so. The "B," "E," and "Y" are barely discernable. Since all letters are present, even if they are very faint, the coin would have enough for a "fine" grade. If, for example, the three weakest letters were invisible, the coin would be a VG. If those same three letters were all as strong as the "L" or "I," the coin would be a VF. If a coin is in the earliest stage of being a "full LIBERTY" piece, it is a bonafide "fine."
Once a coin reaches the status of truly representing a full LIBERTY on its headband, it should grade in the "very fine" range. In practice, coins that fall slightly shy of this are considered VF's as well. The example coin has a full LIBERTY, but the 'L" is missing a corner, and the headband bottom has a few gaps. In upper VF grades, LIBERTY will legitimately be full. Generally speaking, while LIBERTY is complete, it is still flat. Whenever a collector finds an Indian Head Cent with a full LIBERTY, but one whose detail is somewhat sloppy and wanting, it is a "very fine."
If LIBERTY and the headband rails are bold, the coin should fall into the "extremely fine" range. The difference between such a high-grade coin and one grading even higher is whether or not fine detail can be found. The example coin is attractive and clear, yet the magnified images show that the edges are not sharp. The primary image on the left demonstrates that LIBERTY, though bold, is not without wear. A collector will know an XF coin when LIBERTY is clear to the naked eye at first glance, but the detail is bulky.
When LIBERTY is sharp, the coin should fall into the "about uncirculated" range. While the coin still shows light wear, especially under magnification, the letters of LIBERTY have not been duly affected. Every letter and the headband rails should be thin and detailed. Additionally, they should show at least a bit of luster, regardless of color. LIBERTY on an AU coin versus that on an XF is like a tailored suit to one off the rack. It's basically the same, but the fine detail makes all the difference.
The difference between an AU and BU coin is simply a matter of wear. LIBERTY is not the highest point of the obverse, so it is possible for this area to appear undisturbed and for the coin still to fall to AU, but this occurs only occasionally. All BU coins will have luster, regardless of their color. Luster refers to the original condition of the mint-struck surface. Most coins with luster are "shiny" and bright, but copper coins with luster can even be brown and toned as long as the surface is true. If LIBERTY is thin and sharp, and the letters show no wear and luster, in all likelihood, the collector has a "brilliant uncirculated" coin.
