Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 4860, along with NGC 4858, on 21 Apr 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is 25" northwest of center. Hemann Kobold also measured an accurate position in 1895.

300/350mm - 13.1" (5/14/83): faint, very small, round. Located 4' NW of NGC 4865.

400/500mm - 17.5" (4/21/90): faint, small, round, bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 4858 34" SW within AGC 1656. IC 4943 lies 5' W and NGC 4865 4.2' SE almost at the midpoint on line with mag 7.2 SAO 82595 7.2' SE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb