The 1868 Indian Head Penny represents an interesting time in American history. The Civil War was just a few years in the past, president Andrew Johnson was in the middle of an impeachment trial and the country was still fractured. During this uncertain time, the US Mint wasn’t making any major changes to the national currency. In fact, they were producing less than a third of the one cent coins that had been striking during peak war years. As a result, it is rare to find an 1868 Indian Head Penny in mint condition.
1868 Indian Head Penny Design
At first glance, the 1868 design looks nearly identical to the original 1859 Indian Head Penny. The face of the coin showcases the profile of the goddess Liberty. She is wearing an Indian chief headdress, which was meant to be a nod to the indigenous people of American and to move away from more European symbols to something more uniquely American.
One distinguishing feature of the 1868 Indian Head Penny is the metal composition. By the end of the war, nickel was at a premium, which prompted the government to change to a copper, zinc and tin alloy. This created a lighter one cent coin that was also cheaper to strike.
Worth of an 1868 Indian Head Penny
While these one cent coins are relatively rare, they aren’t in especially high demand. A coin in excellent condition is worth $40. If you can find one that is in a certified mind state, it will go for around $300.
Type of coin: One Cent
Year: 1868 Indian Head Penny
Mint Mark: Philadelphia
Total mintage: 10,266,500
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