United States

Indian Head Cent Coins

Indian Pennies and Penny rolls

In 1859 the United States government began production of a new one cent coin with an Indian Head design. They were produced for 50 years, until 1909, when the Lincoln cent design replaced them. The Indian Head design, created by James B. Longacre, is really a stylized "Liberty" head wearing a full Indian headdress.

Indian Head Penny - US cent

The reverse of the coin has the words "one cent". Surrounding the words is a laurel wreath design. After the first year (1859) the reverse was slightly changed. The wreath was changed to "oak leaves" and a small shield was added at the top.

Other interesting facts about the

Indian head penny (cent)

All Indian head cents were minted at the Philadelphia U.S.A. government mint (except during 1908 and 1909 when some were also made at the San Francisco mint). San Francisco minted coins bear a "S" mintmark on the bottom of the reverse, while Philadelphia minted coins do not have "mint marks". "S" mint marked indiancents are somewhat scarce and more valuable than many other dates. High grade coins of most any dates can also bring very substantial premiums.

There were many variations and varieties of these coins. For example, during the first six years (1859 to 1864) Indian Head cents were made of 88% copper and 12% nickel, resulting in a slightly less coppery red-brown color. During the civil war many of cents were hoarded and disappeared from circulation. These copper-nickel Indian pennies were also called "nickels" or "nicks" at that time. This was before nickel 5 cent pieces were produced. When five cent nickel coin production began (in 1866) people started calling five cent coins nickels and the Indian cents lost that as their nick name.

In the middle of 1864 composition changed to 95% copper and 5% tin. The coin's weight also decreased and remained the same through the Lincoln cent series (until 1982).

How scarce are Indian cents? Although millions and millions were made, only a miniscule amount are thought to remain. If all the Indian head cents produced through the 50 years of production (from 1859 to 1909) were added together, there would be fewer Indian cents than what is produced today in 3 years of Lincoln cents.

LOT of 15

United States

INDIAN HEAD

PENNIES (CENTS)

various mixed dates - most dated after 1900

All with readable dates in good (or better) circulated condition.

(for lot of 15 coins)

Quantity In Stock :
Price : $

Roll of 50

United States
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES (CENTS)

Full roll of 50 various mixed dates Indian cents. Most all are dated between 1900 and 1909. Each coin has a readable date and is in good (or better) circulated condition. Packaged in a plastic tube for easy storage.

Roll of 50 coins for:

Quantity In Stock :
Price : $

Interesting Note: Although we often call it the Indian Head "penny", it is really an Indian Head "One Cent" coin. The term "penny" is a British term used for their copper coins, and is never found on any United States of America coins.

If you like Indian cents you may be interested in:

Wheat Cent bags

Buffalo Nickel rolls

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