Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6463 = Sw. IV-55, along with NGC 6470, on 9 June 1886, and logged "eeF; S; R; v diff; p of 2 [with NGC 6470]." His position is less than 1' south of CGCG 321-037 = PGC 60755. Swift also found 4 additional nearby galaxies on 25 Sep 1886 - NGC 6456, 6470, 6471 and 6477. Due to the compact size of the group, there is confusion on several of these identifications.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round, diffuse. Third of seven in NGC 6456 group with NGC 6472 3.2' ENE, NGC 6470 4.0' E and NGC 6471 3.7' ESE. Located 6.0' E of NGC 6456.

600/800mm - 24" (8/23/14): fairly faint, round, 24" diameter, very weak concentration. Near the center of a group of faint galaxies with NGC 6472, 6470, 6471, 6477 and PGC 2701716 all within 5'!

Notes by Steve Gottlieb