J-302 1863 Indian Cent Pattern -  J302 1863 1c Pattern NGC PF63 CAC. This extremely rare 1863 Indian cent proof pattern coin is the second finest known at NGC and CAC, and it is tied for second finest at PCGS. The coin, composed of copper-nickel, is lustrous and lightly toned. Colors of light tan, lavender, gold, and light brown are present. These colors attest to the coins originality. The surfaces are clean for the grade, with no hairlines visible without magnification. Scuff marks on the left obverse are on the holder not the coin. The coin is well struck, as expected for a proof coin, with full details on the tips of the feathers, the diamonds, the L on the ribbon, the shield, and the wreath.

The J-302 proof pattern cent was also struck in bronze, oroide, and aluminum. While dated 1863, it was made at a later time using a reverse die that was used on regular 1869 and 1870 issues. Researchers do not know why this pattern was created.

James B. Longacre designed the Indian Cent. The obverse shows Liberty facing left in profile wearing a LIBERTY inscribed headdress. Her hair is combed back and over her ear and flows down beneath the truncation. A band with four diamonds is attached to the back of the headdress and comes over her hair past the truncation. She is surrounded with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with the date below. The reverse shows the denomination written as ONE CENT surrounded by an oak wreath with a Union shield at the top and a ribbon holding the parts of the wreath and three arrows together below. Dentils are around the periphery of both sides of the coin, and the edge is plain.
 
In 1864 there were two clearly different cent issues. The first was a copper-nickel run of over 13 million pieces. Later over 39 million coins were struck in bronze. Among the bronze issues approximately 5 million pieces were struck with an L added to the lower ribbon of the Indians headdress. The issue is an important variety in the series. All 1864 L issues have a distinctly pointed bust, which enables even low grade coins to be easily identified. The J-302 1863 pattern piece also has a pointed bust like the regular 1864 L issues.
 
Longacre was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. When he finished his apprenticeship in Philadelphia as a bookseller and a banknote engraver, he worked on his own as an engraver of book illustrations and bank notes. His works included one on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and another on stage personalities. In 1830, Longacre began a series of biographies of famous men in the military and the political arena. In 1834 the result of this series became the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans that was published in four volumes. Longacre and those who worked with him became famous because of this work. In 1844 Longacre came to work at the Mint. He was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver. Finally in 1854, Peale was fired by President Franklin Pearce. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two-cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollar, the three-dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle. 

The 1863 J-302 pattern cent has a Rarity rating of 7+. Only 5 pieces are known to exist. In its population report, NGC shows 1, the present coin, in PF63 condition with 1 finer. PCGS has 2 in PF63 with 1 finer. As of December 2012, CAC has confirmed only the present coin in PF63 with 1 finer.