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The Indian Head Cent Uncirculated 1886 Type 2 BN (Brown) is a prized and significant issue within the broader Indian Head cent series, which was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909. The 1886 issue is especially important to collectors because it marks a major transition year where two distinct obverse varieties were struck: Type 1, featuring the last "old" style with the final feather of Liberty’s headdress pointing between the "I" and "C" of "AMERICA," and Type 2, where the feather points between the "C" and "A." The Type 2 variety would become the standard design for the remainder of the series, making this 1886 Type 2 a critical coin for type set collectors. As an uncirculated brown (BN) example, the coin retains its full design details while exhibiting rich, original coloration that speaks to its age and authenticity.
The Indian Head cent was designed by James Barton Longacre, Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. Longacre’s design was intended to represent Liberty wearing a Native American-style headdress, although common lore mistakenly identifies the figure as an actual Native American. The obverse features a left-facing Liberty wearing the feathered headdress inscribed with the word "LIBERTY" on the band. Surrounding Liberty are the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the date "1886" below. On the 1886 Type 2 variety, close examination shows the last feather positioned neatly between the "C" and "A" of "AMERICA," a subtle but definitive detail. In an uncirculated state, every detail of Liberty’s facial features, hair curls, and the individual feathers are crisp and fully struck, offering an outstanding presentation of Longacre’s timeless design.
The reverse of the 1886 Indian Head cent showcases an oak wreath encircling the words "ONE CENT," crowned at the top with a Union shield. This reverse design was introduced in 1860, replacing the simpler laurel wreath found on the 1859 issue. The oak wreath symbolizes strength and endurance, while the shield references the preservation of the Union during and after the Civil War. In uncirculated condition, the fine details of the wreath’s leaves, acorns, and the vertical lines and crossbars of the shield are sharply rendered. Even minor elements, such as the leaf veins and acorn caps, are distinct. The fields surrounding the central device exhibit a pleasing smoothness and reflective quality typical of original mint state copper coins, despite the shift in toning toward rich, brown hues over time.
The 1886 Indian Head cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, as indicated by the absence of a mintmark. The reported mintage for the year was approximately 17,650,000 pieces. However, how many were Type 1 versus Type 2 remains unknown, as the Mint did not distinguish between varieties in its records. Most numismatists believe that Type 1 was produced early in the year, and Type 2 later. While the overall mintage seems large, uncirculated examples of the Type 2 variety are far scarcer than circulation strikes and have become increasingly sought after as collectors attempt to assemble complete sets by type or by date. Finding a true Mint State 1886 Type 2 with sharp details, pleasing surfaces, and no evidence of wear is a challenge that makes such coins stand out within the series.
Conditionally, the 1886 Type 2 BN Indian Head cent offered here is graded as Uncirculated, meaning it has never seen commerce and retains its full original mint detail. Although copper coins are particularly prone to toning and environmental reactions over time, this coin’s surfaces remain free from wear across the highest points of the design, such as Liberty’s cheek, hair curls, and the shield on the reverse. The brown designation (BN) reflects the natural oxidation of the original red color into a spectrum of medium to dark chocolate hues, often accompanied by highlights of golden-brown or faint violet tones under certain lighting conditions. This original patina is prized by collectors for its authenticity and eye appeal, especially when combined with strong luster and sharp strike characteristics.
The fields on this 1886 Type 2 Uncirculated cent are remarkably clean for a copper coin of its age, with only minor marks visible under magnification—nothing severe enough to distract from its overall appearance. The strike is strong, particularly for an 1886 cent, with fully defined details in the hair, headdress, and feather tips on the obverse, and sharp vein and shield elements on the reverse. The rims are complete and raised, with no evidence of flattening or rim nicks that often plague lower-grade examples. The original cartwheel luster, though softened by the coin’s natural toning, is still evident in protected areas and across the broader fields, affirming its untouched Mint State status.
Historically, the 1886 Indian Head cent occupies an important position in American numismatics, produced during the Gilded Age, a period characterized by rapid industrial growth, urbanization, and social transformation. Small denomination coins like the Indian Head cent played an essential role in everyday commerce, facilitating transactions in an economy increasingly reliant on cash purchases by the working class. Pennies were used for everything from newspapers to streetcar fares, and coins from this era bear witness to the everyday life of Americans living in a time of profound change. A well-preserved 1886 Type 2 cent allows today’s collectors a tangible connection to that era, offering both historical resonance and artistic beauty.
The appeal of the Indian Head cent series is enduring, rooted in its aesthetic charm, historical significance, and relative affordability compared to more expensive 19th-century U.S. coinage. Within the series, the 1886 Type 2 BN Uncirculated example is especially important because it represents a turning point in the refinement of Longacre’s design. Collectors assembling high-grade sets of Indian Head cents by date, or specifically focusing on major varieties, find the 1886 Type 2 essential to completing their collections. Its scarcity in true uncirculated condition, coupled with the beauty of its natural brown toning and the sharpness of its strike, makes this example an especially desirable acquisition.
The Certified Indian Head Cent Uncirculated 1886 Type 2 BN stands as an exceptional survivor from a pivotal year in the Indian Head cent series. With its sharp strike, fully preserved design features, original brown surfaces, and historical importance, it captures everything collectors value about classic American copper coinage. As high-quality examples become increasingly difficult to find, coins like this one continue to be recognized not only as important type and variety representatives but also as enduring pieces of American numismatic artistry. For the collector who values originality, condition, and historical context, this 1886 Type 2 BN Indian Head cent is a remarkable and rewarding addition to any serious collection.