1859 Indian head?

[fyrffytr1]

I was loooking through my recent finds and found this with two other Indian Heads. I can make out 18?9 as the date. I cannot see a shield on the back. Looks like the wreath circles the "ONE CENT". It is also thicker than the other Indian Heads.
Could it be an 1859?

 

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[fyrffytr1]

Before anyone says it, I know the last number looks like a 2 in the picture but it is a 9.

 

[DigginThePast]

Have to admit, I'm having trouble seeing the 9 in the pic. But, if it is a "fatty" and the last digit is a 9, then it must be an 1859 as the last year for the "fat Indians" was 1864. Can you get a weight on the coin?

edit to add: From the Mint: fatties weigh 4.67 grams. Later minted coins weigh 3.11 grams.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I don't have any way to weigh it. Is there somewhere or someone I could take it to and have it weighed? Where would I get an accurate scale if I wanted to buy one?

 

[DigginThePast]

Are you friendly with a jeweler or a coin shop? They most likely would have a scale and could weigh it for you. Or you could buy one like in the link. I bought a similar one and use a lot.

http://www.staples.com/Salter-Breck...s:Postal_Scales_&_Postage_Meters:558330:PB500

 

[BuckleBoy]

If it doesn't have the shield on the back, then it is an 1859 IH, and it will be thicker than the later IH's (and also made of a copper-nickel alloy).

The first year (1859), IH cents did not have the shield on the back. Take a look at the coin books or google it.

Nice find! Took me years to get my first 1859.

 

[DigginThePast]

Buckles is correct.

The wreath and ribbon are also different from 1859 to 1860. Pretty sure I can see that the ribbon (on the bottom of the reverse) indicates it is an 1859.

 

[oldsledz]

I think if you lay another IH next to it on a table you should be able to tell if it is thicker, it should also give a different reading on your detector if I remember right.

 

[doublet2a]

If it doesn't have the shield on the back, then it is an 1859 IH, and it will be thicker than the later IH's (and also made of a copper-nickel alloy).

Tim

 

[fyrffytr1]

It does not have the shield so I am marking this one solved. Thanks for the help.