It may not have one. 1864 is the year the L was added late in the year. if the coin shows heavy wear it may be hard to see, it's on the lower ribbon behind the neck
You'll need to have the coin inspected in person by someone who is knowledgeable about Indian cents. There are 3 major varieties of Indian cent from that year: some were struck in a copper-nickel alloy, and others were struck in bronze. Some of the bronze cents carried a tiny "L" on the headdress's ribbon (for the designer, James Longacre) and are worth more than the ones that don't have the "L". Unless you can definitely make the distinction, it's not possible to assign a value sight-unseen. For example, in well-worn condition, cupronickel 1864s retail for about $15, no-"L" bronze cents issues are about $10, but those with an "L" are worth around $50. The prices go up proportionately for coins with less wear.
You'll need to have the coin inspected in person by someone who is knowledgeable about Indian cents. There are 3 major varieties of Indian cent from that year: some were struck in a copper-nickel alloy, and others were struck in bronze. Some of the bronze cents carried a tiny "L" on the headdress's ribbon (for the designer, James Longacre) and are worth more than the ones that don't have the "L". Unless you can definitely make the distinction, it's not possible to assign a value sight-unseen. For example, in well-worn condition, cupronickel 1864s retail for about $15, no-"L" bronze cents issues are about $10, but those with an "L" are worth around $50. The prices go up proportionately for coins with less wear.
The value of an 1864 Indian Head penny can vary significantly based on its condition and whether it has any notable features, such as being a "L" variety. Generally, these coins are worth between $2 to $40 in average circulated condition, while higher-grade specimens can fetch $100 or more. For an accurate appraisal, it's best to consult a coin dealer or use a coin pricing guide.
most likely around $1 depending on wear.http://coins.about.com/od/coinvalues/l/bl-indian-head-penny-values.htm
Uh, did you check any of the coins in your pocket? ALLU.S. coins have their reverses oriented opposite to the front sides! That is, if you flip a U.S. coin from side to side the same way you'd turn the pages of a book, the two sides will point in opposite directions.Anyway, there were at least 3 different varieties of Indian Head cent struck in 1864 so you'd need to have the coin inspected in person to know what you have.Take a look at http://www.numismedia.com/fmv/prices/indcnt/pricesgd.shtml for example, to get a range of prices. "CN" means the coin was struck in copper-nickel and has a whitish appearance. "L" is a version that has the initial of the designer (J. Longacre) worked into the headdress; it's VERY hard to see unless the coin is nearly uncirculated. When I flip this coin like a book, as you suggested, the reverse should be upside down. It's not...It's right side up. An upside down reverse. -KMarsh
The coins commonly referred to as the Buffalo Nickel were designed by James Earle Fraser, which his initials "FS" can be observed on the obverse below the date of the buffalo nickel. The coins commonly referred to as the Indian Head Cent were designed by James B. Longacre, which his intial "L" can be observed on the head dress ribbon from 1864 and later.
There are no U.S. pennies from 1882 with a mintmark -- they were all minted at the main mint in Philadelphia. If you are referring to the "L" on the ribbon at the back of the Indian's head, this is the designer's (James Longacre) initial and appears on all Indian head cents after 1864. If it's something else, then it was manually added after the coin left the mint and will drastically reduce the coin's collector value. In circulated conditiion, an 1882 Indian head cent is worth $2-$3
The 1864 L variety coin is struck in Bronze so the weight is different from the no L that was struck in Copper-Nickel. The no L weighs 4.67 grams and is thicker than the L. The L weighs 3.11 grams. Please Note: The term " Hallmarks" does not apply to coin collecting. The weight came to 2.8 grams on both the 1864 and 1864 L coin. On my day off, I took the coins to a dealer. I was informed that both coins are struck in bronze, and that the bust is pointed on the 1864 L but rounded on the 1864 coin .
P. L. Madan has written: 'Tibet, saga of Indian explorers (1864-1894)' -- subject(s): Travel, Description and travel, Explorers
You'll need to have the coin inspected in person by someone who is knowledgeable about Indian cents. There are 3 major varieties of Indian cent from that year: some were struck in a copper-nickel alloy, and others were struck in bronze. Some of the bronze cents carried a tiny "L" on the headdress's ribbon (for the designer, James Longacre) and are worth more than the ones that don't have the "L". Unless you can definitely make the distinction, it's not possible to assign a value sight-unseen. For example, in well-worn condition, cupronickel 1864s retail for about $15, no-"L" bronze cents issues are about $10, but those with an "L" are worth around $50. The prices go up proportionately for coins with less wear.
You'll need to have the coin inspected in person by someone who is knowledgeable about Indian cents. There are 3 major varieties of Indian cent from that year: some were struck in a copper-nickel alloy, and others were struck in bronze. Some of the bronze cents carried a tiny "L" on the headdress's ribbon (for the designer, James Longacre) and are worth more than the ones that don't have the "L". Unless you can definitely make the distinction, it's not possible to assign a value sight-unseen. For example, in well-worn condition, cupronickel 1864s retail for about $15, no-"L" bronze cents issues are about $10, but those with an "L" are worth around $50. The prices go up proportionately for coins with less wear.
most likely around $1 depending on wear.http://coins.about.com/od/coinvalues/l/bl-indian-head-penny-values.htm
William L. Kenly was born in 1864.
Stephen L. Chipman was born in 1864.
Isaac L. Varian died in 1864.
Frank L. Gilbert was born in 1864.
I see you have a very nice coin. The 1877 Indian Head was considered a key date among pennies along with the 1909-s (VDB). I would value the coin at around 550.00-1200.00 depending on the condition of the coin. I hope I could help:)