The 1890s were a relatively quiet time at the US Mint. There was still only one mint in the country and there hadn’t been any major changes to the design of the Indian Head Penny since its inception in 1859. In addition, the 1896 Indian Head Penny is one of the higher mintages, which means that it is easy to find. While this is good news for collectors who want to complete their series, it does mean that the coin doesn’t carry as much worth as other mintage years.
1896 Indian Head Penny Design
Besides minor differences and striking anomalies throughout the years, the general design of the Indian Head Penny was essentially the same for decades. The face of the coin features the profile of a female. She has long flowing hair and is wearing an Indian Chief Headdress. The perimeter of both sides of the coin has small diamond shapes that form a circle. On the reverse side, you will note an oak wreath with arrows and a shield at the top. The wreath is surrounding the words “One Cent.”
The 1896 Indian Head Penny comes in three distinct colors: brown, red and red-brown. Typically, the red version is the hardest to find and will be worth the most at auction.
1896 Indian Head Penny Value
When it comes to the highest grade 1896 Indian Head Cent, there are only a handful thought to still be in existence. In 2010, an MS65 1896 Indian Head Penny was sold for a record $661. For coins that aren’t nearly as pristine, but in average condition, you can expect to pay around $5. Overall, the 1896 Indian Head Penny is not a super rare Indian Head Penny.
Type of coin: One Cent
Year: 1896 Indian Head Penny
Mint Mark: Philadelphia
Total mintage: 39,055,431
Metal content: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Face value: One Cent
Weight: 3.11 grams
Edge: Plain
Designer: James Barton Longacre
Diameter: 19 millimeters