1885 Indian Head Penny

The 1885 Indian Head Penny has one of the smaller mintages in the series, and the smallest mintage for any coin in the series produced between 1879 and 1907. Although it has a small mintage at just over 11.7 million coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint, it is still relatively common in circulated grades and only selling for a small premium. In uncirculated Mint State grades, the 1885 Indian Head Cent becomes very difficult to find, with less than 1,000 believed to exist in MS64. At grades higher than this, it is even more difficult to find.

History of the 1885 Indian Head Penny

The 1885 Indian Head Penny is a valuable coin that is worth the effort to locate in any grade. It can be found in colors ranging from brown to red-brown to red, with the reds commanding the highest premiums. The 1885 Indian Head Penny features the profile of a woman on the obverse of the coin. She is wearing a Native American Headdress with the word LIBERTY across the band. The reverse of the coin features a laurel wreath and shield surrounding the words ONE CENT. This coin was designed by James Barton Longacre who was the Chief Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint at the time.