Types of Indian Head Pennies
The Indian Head Penny was minted from 1859 to 1909. Its design has a left-facing female figure wearing a Native American headdress, and the reverse shows the value of the coin and a wreath. The Indian Head Cent was designed by the same designer of the Flying Eagle cent, which was discontinued due to issued with its design and minting.
The popularity that comes with the Indian Head Cent nowadays is its age and the rarity of some of the versions of this coin. One of the rare versions are the 1873 Double Liberty version. This version was minted with the word "liberty" duplicated on the headdress. Another rare version is the 1877 Indian Head Penny. Although the coin has value from its age and rarity, it does not have any value from its composition as it is made of 88% copper and 12% nickel. When it comes to buying the Indian Head Cent there are multiple ways to go about it. Some collectors like to buy rolls of them, which contain 50 coins, individual versions, or bundles of certain years.
Indian Penny Value and Varieties
Most Indian Head Pennies are relatively affordable with most dates and mint marks in circulated condition running $20 or less per coin. However, as with any series there are key dates. Some of the most notable key dates are:
- 1869 9/9 (Doubled "9")
- 1873 Double Liberty ("LIBERTY" is doubled on the headdress)
- 1877
- 1888 8/7 ( "7" is underneath the last "8" in the date)
- 1909 S
Indian Head Penny Mintages and Values
Date | Mintage | Good | Very Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | |
1859 Indian Head Penny | 36,400,000 | $15.00 | $55.00 | $110.00 | $285.00 | |
1860 Indian Head Penny | 20,566,000 | $10.00 | $35.00 | $70.00 | $185.00 | |
1861 Indian Head Penny | 10,100,000 | $25.00 | $60.00 | $110.00 | $225.00 | |
1862 Indian Head Penny | 28,075,000 | $10.00 | $30.00 | $50.00 | $110.00 | |
1863 Indian Head Penny | 49,840,000 | $10.00 | $30.00 | $50.00 | $110.00 | |
1864 Indian Head Penny | 13,740,000 | $20.00 | $55.00 | $100.00 | $200.00 | |
1865 Indian Head Penny | 35,429,286 | $15.00 | $45.00 | $45.00 | $90.00 | |
1866 Indian Head Penny | 9,826,500 | $50.00 | $190.00 | $190.00 | $275.00 | |
1867 Indian Head Penny | 9,821,000 | $50.00 | $230.00 | $230.00 | $300.00 | |
1868 Indian Head Penny | 10,266,500 | $40.00 | $170.00 | $170.00 | $250.00 | |
1869 Indian Head Penny | 6,420,000 | $85.00 | $335.00 | $445.00 | $600.00 | |
1870 Indian Head Penny | 5,275,000 | $55.00 | $280.00 | $375.00 | $500.00 | |
1871 Indian Head Penny | 3,929,500 | $70.00 | $350.00 | $475.00 | $550.00 | |
1872 Indian Head Penny | 4,042,000 | $90.00 | $500.00 | $500.00 | $785.00 | |
1873 Indian Head Penny | 11,676,500 | $25.00 | $185.00 | $185.00 | $235.00 | |
1874 Indian Head Penny | 14,187,500 | $20.00 | $65.00 | $100.00 | $225.00 | |
1875 Indian Head Penny | 13,528,000 | $20.00 | $75.00 | $120.00 | $235.00 | |
1876 Indian Head Penny | 7,944,000 | $35.00 | $135.00 | $225.00 | $300.00 | |
1877 Indian Head Penny | 852,500 | $900.00 | $2,000.00 | $2,500.00 | $3,800.00 | |
1878 Indian Head Penny | 5,797,500 | $35.00 | $110.00 | $200.00 | $325.00 | |
1879 Indian Head Penny | 16,228,000 | $8.00 | $40.00 | $70.00 | $90.00 | |
1880 Indian Head Penny | 38,961,000 | $5.00 | $12.00 | $30.00 | $80.00 | |
1881 Indian Head Penny | 39,208,000 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $25.00 | $60.00 | |
1882 Indian Head Penny | 38,578,000 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $25.00 | $60.00 | |
1883 Indian Head Penny | 45,591,500 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $25.00 | $60.00 | |
1884 Indian Head Penny | 23,257,800 | $5.00 | $14.00 | $27.00 | $75.00 | |
1885 Indian Head Penny | 11,761,594 | $8.00 | $30.00 | $65.00 | $110.00 | |
1886 Indian Head Penny | 17,650,000 | $6.00 | $50.00 | $140.00 | $175.00 | |
1887 Indian Head Penny | 54,223,523 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $18.00 | $55.00 | |
1888 Indian Head Penny | 37,489,832 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $22.00 | $65.00 | |
1889 Indian Head Penny | 48,866,025 | $3.00 | $7.00 | $18.00 | $60.00 | |
1890 Indian Head Penny | 27,180,114 | $3.00 | $7.00 | $16.00 | $60.00 | |
1891 Indian Head Penny | 47,070,000 | $3.00 | $7.00 | $15.00 | $60.00 | |
1892 Indian Head Penny | 37,647,087 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $20.00 | $60.00 | |
1893 Indian Head Penny | 46,640,000 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $20.00 | $60.00 | |
1894 Indian Head Penny | 16,749,500 | $5.00 | $20.00 | $50.00 | $85.00 | |
1895 Indian Head Penny | 38,341,574 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $45.00 | |
1896 Indian Head Penny | 39,055,431 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $45.00 | |
1897 Indian Head Penny | 50,464,392 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $45.00 | |
1898 Indian Head Penny | 49,821,284 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $45.00 | |
1899 Indian Head Penny | 53,598,000 | $3.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $45.00 | |
1900 Indian Head Penny | 66,831,502 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1901 Indian Head Penny | 79,609,158 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1902 Indian Head Penny | 87,374,704 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1903 Indian Head Penny | 85,092,703 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1904 Indian Head Penny | 61,326,198 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1905 Indian Head Penny | 80,717,011 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1906 Indian Head Penny | 96,020,530 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1907 Indian Head Penny | 108,137,143 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1908 Indian Head Penny | 32,326,367 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $10.00 | $40.00 | |
1908-S Indian Head Penny | 1,115,000 | $90.00 | $145.00 | $175.00 | $290.00 | |
1909 Indian Head Penny | 14,368,470 | $12.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $45.00 | |
1909-S Indian Head Penny | 309,000 | $300.00 | $475.00 | $600.00 | $1,000.00 |
*Source 2020 Red Book
Indian Head Cent Varieties
1859 Indian Head: copper-nickel Laurel wreath reverse design
Within the years this coin was in circulation, there were three different varieties of the Indian Head Cent. The first variety can be categorized as the 1859 copper-nickel Laurel wreath reverse design. This was America’s introduction to the Indian Head Cent, and a series that would grow to become iconic in American numismatic history. The obverse of the coin displays a bust of Lady Liberty facing towards the left, adorning a Native American headdress. The reverse features a laurel wreath, which is actually different from the well known wreath of wheat design that was used in later years of the Indian Head. The coin has a diameter of 19 millimeters and a weight of 4.67 grams, adhering to the standard specifications for one cent coins of that era. James Longacre actually incorporated a signature of sorts on the coin, his initials J.B.L. on the ribbon of the headdress of Lady Liberty. As the first year of issue of the Indian Head Cent, this coin is unique in its design with multiple features of the coin being changed just one year later, and never reverting back to the original. Collectors often seek out this year in particular as a key date, and a valuable piece of their collections.
1860-1864 Indian Head: copper-nickel oak wreath with shield design
The second variety of the Indian Head Cent is known as the copper-nickel oak wreath with shield design, spanning from 1860 to 1864. This variety of the Indian Head portrayed the new altered design, and were the last years that this series of coins were minted with the 88% copper and 12% nickel metal composition. The size and weight of this variety stays consistent with the 1859 variety, as well as James Longacre’s initials on the headdress. The oak wreath with shield design represents a transition from the Laurel wreath reverse and is a testament to the ever evolving nature of the Indian Head Cent series. The addition of the shield symbolizes the protective demeanor of the United States during a time of internal and external challenges. Having insight on the meaning behind the decision to change the design of the Indian Head Cent provides a sense of sentimental value, as well as adding historical value to the series.
The bronze Indian Head
The third and final variety of the esteemed Indian Head Cent is categorized as the bronze Indian Head. These coins were minted from the year 1864, all the way up until 1909, the last year of issue in the series. Since the bronze Indian Head began its reign in circulation around halfway through the year in 1864, both the copper-nickel oak wreath with shield variety and the bronze Indian Head variety were minted and in circulation throughout the year of 1864. The metal composition was changed to bronze during this time, and actually the coin itself was modified as well. The thickness of the coin was reduced greatly, and with that the weight of the coin decreased. The diameter of the new variety was still 19 millimeters, but the weight was now 3.11 grams, and James Longacre’s initials continue to be featured on the headdress throughout the entire series.
The mintages of the bronze Indian Head vary throughout the years of 1864 to 1909, some years experienced higher mintage numbers, while other years were quite different, and saw more limited mintages. This specifically is one of the reasons that each year of the Indian Head Cent has its own unique value and rarity, something that many different collectors adore about these coins. You will find all sorts of rare coin hobbyists seeking out specific years of Indian Heads, wanting to find the ones they’ve been missing to finally complete a full set, or just collect them in bunches and pick out their favorite ones. The 1877 and 1909-S Indian Heads stand out in particular. The 1877 being the second lowest mintage in the series behind the 1909-S, but actually harder to find today especially in better condition due to the fact that there were much less people collecting coins in 1877 compared to 1909.