The 1909 Indian Head penny was the final Indian Head penny produced at the Philadelphia Mint. It marks the end of an era in coin minting history - and the beginning of another. Pennies have had a long history in the United States, and the Indian Head penny is no exception. While the common phraseology for this coin is the penny, the U.S. Mint actually refers to these coins as One-Cent pieces. The word penny was borrowed from the name of a similar British coin with approximately the same value.
Final Year of the Indian Head Penny
In 1909, the U.S. Mint announced that they would strike a new penny, later known to collectors as the Wheat Penny, which was the first coin to feature Abraham Lincoln on the face. This led to the retirement of the highly collectible Indian Head penny series, and many collectors at the time knew this was a penny to keep, despite the fact the populace was more focused on the shiny, new Lincoln penny.
1909 Indian Head Penny Values
As the final Indian Head penny produced in Philadelphia, coin collectors are on the hunt for one of these special coins. Average value for this historic coin is around twelve dollars, while a mint condition coin can be worth up to forty-five dollars. Mint condition Indian Head pennies are notable for their brilliant shine and incredibly detailed engraving. Finding a mint-condition Indian Head penny is a treat - as these coins have survived for over a hundred years.
Type of coin: Penny
Year: 1908
Mint Mark: No mint mark
Total mintage: 14,368,000
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