Compared to production during the Civil War when the US Mint was striking over 35 million pennies in one year, the 1867 Indian Head Penny has a total mintage that is relatively low. In addition, more of the coins were in circulation and not being held onto by collectors. As a result of these factors, there are relatively few 1867 Indian Head One Cent coins in excellent or mint condition on the market today. This helps to make them a prized possession among collectors.
The 1867 Indian Head Penny features the goddess Liberty wearing an Indian chief headdress. This design was first introduced in 1859 and almost a decade later little had changed when it came to the overall engraving. Perhaps the most notable difference from early years is the weight and type of alloy used. In the last year of the Civil War, nickel supplies were running low across the globe, which forced the Mint to switch to a copper, zinc and tin combination, which is over 1.5 grams lighter.
Rare Indian Head Penny Worth
A coin in relatively good condition will sell for an average of $40. If you can find a mint condition coin that has been certified, it can be worth over $440. From a historical perspective, the 1867 Indian Head Penny doesn’t stand out too much, but it is a rare find and an essential part of an collection looking to highlight the early years of the US one cent coin.
Type of coin: One Cent
Year: 1867 Indian Head Penny
Mint Mark: Philadelphia
Total mintage: 9,821,000
Metal content: 95% Copper and 5% Zinc and Tin
Face value: One Cent
Weight: 3.11 grams
Edge: Plain
Designer: James Barton Longacre
Diameter: 19 millimeters