The Indian Head Cent, also sometimes referred to as the Indian Head Penny, was a one-cent piece minted by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909. It replaced the Flying Eagle Cent, which was short-lived due to its small size and difficulty to read .

Design

The Indian Head Cent was designed by James Barton Longacre, the Chief Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint. The obverse (heads) features a Native American headdress, but it is actually a depiction of Lady Liberty wearing a laurel wreath reminiscent of a Native American headdress. The design choice reflected a popular romanticized view of Native Americans at the time. The inscription "LIBERTY" curves around the upper rim of the coin, and the date is located below the portrait.

The reverse (tails) of the Indian Head Cent depicts a wreath surrounding the denomination "ONE CENT" in the center. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" are inscribed around the rim.

Composition and Mintage

• Early Indian Head Cents (1859-1864) were made of an unusual copper-nickel alloy, giving them a lighter color than later bronze versions.
• Due to the rising price of copper during the Civil War, the composition was changed to a more traditional 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc alloy in 1864.
• The edge of the coin is plain with no inscription.
• Philadelphia Mint coins lack a mintmark, while those minted elsewhere have an "S" mintmark below the wreath on the reverse.

Value

The value of an Indian Head Cent depends on its condition and rarity. Common circulated Indian Head Cents are worth only a few cents above face value, while rare varieties in pristine condition can bring high prices from collectors.