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Indian Head Cents Penny Price Guide
1859-1909

The United States Indian Head Cents

1908-S Indian Head Cent Penny 1908-S Indian Head Penny Back

Year Type Mintage XF40 XF45 AU50 AU55 AU58 MS62 MS63 MS64 MS65 MS66 MS67
1859 36,400,000 $125 $145 $175 $290 $300 $500 $700 $1,800 $2,750 $4,500 -
1860 P 20,566,000 $75 $80 $90 $130 $195 $275 $450 $550 - $2,350 $11,100
1860 P Pointed Bust $100 $115 $140 $200 $345 $350 $650 $950 $2,350 - -
1861 P 10,100,000 $100 $110 $175 $200 $225 $300 $400 $600 $1,100 $2,200 $15,100
1862 P 28,075,000 $50 $70 $80 $100 $125 $200 $375 $500 $1,000 $2,500 $26,400
1863 P 49,840,000 $40 $50 $90 $100 $120 $200 $375 $500 $1,100 $2,000 $20,000
1864 P 13,740,000 $90 $100 $110 $155 $165 $250 $400 $500 $1,000 $2,000 -
1864 With & Without L On Ribbon Indian Head Cent

Very subtle variation in the 1864 Indian Head Cent minting process. Some 1864 Indian Head cents have an L on the Indian's headdress - behind the neck. Other 1864 Indian Head cents have the L removed. Coin collectors tend to pay a premium for the L On Ribbon 1864 Indian Head cents.

1864 Indian Head Cent L On Ribbon 1864 Indian Head Cent NO L On Ribbon
Year Type Mintage XF40 XF45 AU50 AU55 AU58 MS62 MS63 MS64 MS65 MS66 MS67
1864 P With L On Ribbon $200 $250 $300 $350 $400 $490 $750 $900 $1,800 $3,200 -
1864 P No L On Ribbon $50 $60 $75 $90 $120 $325 $340 $375 $600 $1,300 $13,200

2024 Red Book Price Guide
Red Book of Indian Head Cents
Blue Book For Coins 2024 Book

1865 Plain & Fancy 5 Indian Head Cent

In 1865 there were 2 main variations of Indian Head cents. A Plain 5 and a Fancy 5. The Fancy 5 features a top of the 5 that distinctly curves upward. The Plain 5 has a far more subtle curve to the top of the 5. The value of both are somewhat similar but can fluctuate a bit.

1865 Indian Head Cent Plain 5 1865 Indian Head Cent Fancy 5

Year Type AU55 AU58 MS62 RB MS63 RB MS64 RB MS65 RB
1865 Plain 5 $100 $125 $225 $320 $580 $800
1865 Fancy 5 $85 $125 $210 $320 $480 $800
Year Mintage F12 XF35 XF40 XF45 AU50 AU53 AU55 AU58 MS61 BN MS62 BN MS63 RB MS64 RB MS65 RB MS66 RB
1866 P 9,826,500 $100 $115 $155 $160 $180 $205 $220 $260 $320 $375 $455 $750 $900 $2,100
1867 P 9,821,000 $110 $125 $150 $175 $190 $200 $215 $300 $325 $375 $435 $950 $1,050 $2,500
1868 P 10,266,500 $65 $120 $155 $190 $200 $220 $230 $260 $275 $325 $425 $725 $1,000 $1,400
1869 P 6,420,000 $200 $320 $340 $400 $450 $500 $520 $600 $675 $700 $1,000 $1,250 $1,600 $3,000
1869/9 9 over 9 Indian Head Cent

1869/9 9 over 9 Indian Head cents will feature a doubling of the 9 in the 1869 Date. On auction & coin dealer websites, these are listed as either 1869/69 or 1869/9 repunched date. There are several Richard Snow identified varieties, but most are just variations of the Snow-3 / FS-301 where the doubling occurs over the 9.

1869 9 over 9 Indian Head Cent
Year Type G4 VF25 XF40 XF45 AU50 MS66 RB MS66 RD
1869 P 1869/69 Snow-3 FS-301 $90 $575 $650 $900 $1,000 $3,400 $18,000
1870-1872 Bold vs Shallow N Indian Head Cents

The differences between a "Shallow N" and "Bold N" Indian Head cent is easier to determine in-person versus a photo. The "Bold N" variety mainly refers to the fact the letter "N" in One Cent on the reverse of the coin sits higher 3-Dimensionally than a "Shallow N" variety which sits lower and smoother to the coin. For well-worn 1870-1872 Indian Head cents this can be a challenge. However there are some other differences. The distance between letters is closer on the "Shallow N" variety. Also, the formation of the middle strike in the letter "E" is slightly different as well.

1870 Indian Head Cent SHALLOW N 1870 Indian Head Cent Bold N
Year Type G6 VG8 XF45 AU58 MS62 BN MS64 RB MS65 RB
1870 P Shallow N / FS-901 $100 $150 $400 $650 $750 $900 $2,000
1870 P Bold N $70 $100 $330 $545 $600 $950 $2,000
1871 P Shallow N / FS-901 $150 $190 $500 $1,900 $2,200 $3,000 -
1871 P Bold N $85 $95 $400 $590 $625 $1,350 $1,900
1872 P Shallow N / FS-901 $150 $200 $500 $800 $1,000 $2,200 $3,000
1871 P Bold N $120 $150 $465 $700 $750 $2,200 $2,500
1873 Open & Closed 3 Indian Head Cents

The 1873 "Open 3" Indian Head Cent has a larger opening on the 3 in the date. The "Closed 3" Indian Head Cent has a more narrow - closed gap in the 3.

1873 Indian Head Cent Closed 3 1873 Indian Head Cent Open 3
Year Type XF40 AU55 MS62 BN MS64 RB MS65 RB MS66 RB MS66 RD
1873 P Open 3 $135 $225 $345 $950 $1,400 $3,400 $5,500
1873 P Closed 3 $175 $400 $525 $1,100 $2,100 $3,700 $45,600
1873 Doubled Liberty Indian Head Cents

A highly collectible and valuable 1873 Indian Head Cent variation are the "Doubled Liberty" versions. There are several variations within the 1873 Doubled Liberty Indian Head cent, but broadly the Liberty is strongly doubled on the headdress.

1873 Indian Head Cent Doubled Liberty
Year Type VF20 VF25 XF40 AU50 MS62 BN MS63 RB MS64 RB MS65 RB
1873 P Snow-1 / FS-101 $825 $1,200 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000 $8,200 - $48,000
1873 P Snow-1b / FS-101 - - - - - $21,000 - $66,000
1873 P Snow-2 / FS-102 - $350 - $1,500 - - $26,500 -
Year Mintage XF40 AU53 AU58 MS61 BN MS63 RB MS64 RB MS65 RD MS66 RD
1874 P 14,187,500 $100 $125 $165 $210 $300 $450 $4,000 $8,000
1875 P 13,528,000 $100 $165 $190 $200 $400 $550 $2,600 $7,000
1876 P 7,944,000 $135 $225 $300 $325 $500 $700 $2,300 $4,600
Key Date: 1877 Indian Head Cents

The 1877 Indian Head Cent is particularly significant because just 852,500 were minted - making it one of the lowest runs of the Indian Head cent era. This makes any 1877 Indian Head Cent very collectible and valuable - especially in mint condition.

1877 Indian Head Cent Front 1877 Indian Head Cent Back
Year Mintage AG3 VG8 VG10 VF30 XF45 AU53 AU55 MS63 BN MS64 BN MS65 RB
1877 P 852,500 $400 $650 $800 $1,500 $2,200 $3,000 $3,200 $6,000 $8,000 $16,200
Year Mintage F15 VF35 XF45 AU55 AU58 MS64 BN MS65 RB MS65 RD
1878 P 5,799,850 $100 $170 $200 $225 $300 $400 $825 $1,700
1879 P 16,228,000 $20 $50 $80 $90 $100 $265 $450 $1,600
1880 P 38,961,000 $10 $25 $30 $50 $75 $160 $475 $1,750
1881 P 39,208,000 $10 $25 $30 $50 $75 $160 $475 $900
1882 P 38,578,000 $10 $25 $30 $50 $75 $160 $475 $1,200
1883 P 45,591,500 $10 $25 $30 $50 $100 $190 $475 $600
1884 P 23,257,800 $15 $30 $50 $90 $100 $275 $550 $1,400
1885 P 11,761,594 $15 $30 $50 $90 $100 $225 $700 $1,250
1886 Type 1 & Type 2 Indian Head Cents

On the Type 2 design variation the lowest headdress feather points between CA in AMERICA. Collectors believe the Type 2 design is slightly harder to find than the Type 1 variant. The Type 1 variant headdress feather points between the IC in AMERICA.

1886 Indian Head Cent Type 1 1886 Indian Head Cent Type 2
Year Type F15 VF35 XF45 AU55 AU58 MS64 BN MS65 RB MS65 RD
1886 P Type 1 $60 $90 $180 $200 $225 $350 $1,400 $2,700
1886 P Type 2 $75 $100 $200 $225 $250 $475 $1,500 $10,000
Year Mintage F15 VF35 XF45 AU55 AU58 MS64 BN MS65 RB MS65 RD
1887 P 45,223,523 $20 $40 $50 $60 $75 $155 $225 $3,200
1888 P 37,489,832 $50 $60 $70 $80 $100 $275 $900 $1,200
1889 P 48,866,025 $50 $60 $70 $100 $125 $200 $450 $1,200
1890 P 57,180,114 $10 $20 $30 $40 $100 $140 $650 $1,000
1891 P 47,070,000 $30 $40 $60 $70 $100 $150 $690 $900
1892 P 37,647,087 $30 $40 $60 $70 $100 $170 $550 $1,100
1893 P 46,640,000 $10 $20 $30 $40 $60 $125 $400 $900
1894 P 16,749,500 $30 $40 $50 $70 $80 $175 $700 $1,100
1895 P 38,341,574 $10 $20 $30 $40 $60 $125 $200 $750
1896 P 39,055,431 $10 $15 $20 $30 $50 $100 $200 $950
1897 P 50,464,392 $10 $15 $20 $25 $45 $95 $400 $900
1898 P 49,821,284 $10 $15 $20 $25 $45 $95 $300 $800
1899 P 53,598,000 $10 $15 $20 $25 $45 $125 $250 $700
1900 P 66,831,502 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $95 $300 $550
1901 P 79,609,158 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $110 $275 $575
1902 P 87,374,704 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $100 $275 $575
1903 P 85,092,703 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $95 $275 $600
1904 P 61,326,198 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $95 $250 $600
1905 P 80,717,011 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $80 $200 $650
1906 P 96,020,530 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $80 $250 $600
1907 P 108,137,143 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $90 $190 $600
1908 P 32,326,367 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $90 $190 $675
1908 S 1,115,000 $100 $140 $165 $220 $275 $600 $1,600 $2,500
1909 P 14,368,470 $8 $10 $15 $20 $40 $95 $265 $650
1909 S 309,000 $375 $450 $575 $800 $900 $1,750 $2,200 $3,250

1859 P1C Indian Cent Dual Obverse Mule PCGS MS62
1859 Indian Head Cent Error Dual Obverse MS62
SOLD $195,500

How about an Indian Head cent that was nearly 150 years old but only surfaced in the year 2000. This very unique and unusual 1859 P Indian Head Cent features a double-obverse … or two heads on each side of the coin. It’s believed that this mint error was discovered by the United States Mint production team in 1859 - but one coin was kept as a souvenir. Curiously, the coin can no longer be found in the PCGS database - it’s possible the coin was placed in a new holder. The only recorded sale of the coin was a record for Indian Head cents - selling for an astonishing $195,500 in July 2008.

1864 Proof L On Ribbon PCGS PR65 RB
1864 Indian Head Cent With L Proof PR65RB
SOLD $161,000

The 1864 Indian Head Cent “With L” is one of the most desired coins in the Indian Head cent series. However, Proof examples are among the most desired coins in existence. It’s estimated just 20 1864 Indian Head Cents “With L” were minted. The L is visible behind the neck of the Indian Head and is an initial for the coins designer James Longacre. These coins rarely come up for auction, but have traded hands several times over the years. A PCGS PR65RB sold in 1999 for $96,000. Then this example shown in an “Old Green Holder” with CAC certification sold for $161,000 in October 2011. A different version of the same coin sold for $135,125 in August 2012. And finally, this coin re-sold in May 2015 for $108,687.

1864 Proof L On Ribbon PCGS PR65 RD Cameo
1864 L On Ribbon PR65RD Cameo Indian Head Cent
SOLD $152,750

The finest known condition of the 1864 L on Ribbon Indian Head Cent proof is PR65 Red Cameo. Simply a spectacular condition on a coin with an estimated 20 copies in existence. This coin has traded hands a few times over the years. First, an NGC PR65 sold for $141,000 in August 2014. Then the coin seen here in a PCGS holder sold for $152,750 in April 2016. The owner of the coin is open to offers today, with a starting price of $229,125 to just get the owner to think about selling this extremely rare Indian Head cent proof coin.

1877 PCGS MS66 Red
1877 Indian Head Cent PCGS MS66RD
SOLD $149,500

The 1877 Indian Head Cent is the lowest mintage of the series. It’s believed that 852,500 coins were minted, however some coin experts believe that potentially less were actually minted. The top grade seen here is the PCGS MS66 Red, and when this coin comes up for auction - it usually sets a record. Auction records date back to 1999 with coin selling for $55,000 in August 1999. Over the years the value of MS66 Red 1877 Indian Head cents steadily climbs - reaching a record sale price twice of $149,500 in 2007 and 2009. Most recently this coin sold for $114,000 in August 2019.

1905 Indian Cent Struck On Gold Planchet PCGS MS64
1905 Indian Head Cent Struck on Gold
SOLD $123,375

Mint error coins are always collectible and curious to how they surface. It’s believed that this 1905 Indian Head cent struck on a $2 Gold Planchet was deliberately made by Mint officials at the time for collectors. Only a handful of Gold & Silver planchet struck Indian Head cents are in existence - with this being the only one from 1905. Coins like this rarely change hands as the owner will likely never have another chance to buy the same or similar coin in their lifetime. This coin sold for $123,375 in April 2015.

1899 Indian Head Cent PCGS MS68RD
1899 Indian Head Cent PCGS MS68RD
SOLD $108,000

This coin is believed to be the only Indian Head cent graded graded near perfect PCGS MS68 Red. In the PCGS population report - there are 2 coins listed, but experts believe this is a mistake or duplicate entry - making this the finest known Indian Head cent ever minted and graded. This coin has traded hands a few times over the years. First in 2003 for $69,000, then again in 2009 for $97,750. Most recently this beauty sold for $108,000 in August 2019.

1869 Indian Head Cent PCGS MS66+RD
1869 Indian Head Cent PCGS MS66+RD
SOLD $84,000

Richard Snow notes the rarity of the 1869 Indian Head cent, largely due to the Mint Act of April 22, 1864, which caused mass melting of small cents and two cent pieces in the late 1860s. This was because the act didn't offer redemption for these coins and banks often refused large deposits of them. Consequently, over 55 million bronze cents were melted in the following decade, significantly reducing the 1869 cent's availability, which had a modest mintage of 6.4 million.


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