U.S. Indian Head Cent (1880-1909) // Icons of American Coinage Series // Deluxe Display Box

The Indian Head Cent is a vintage American coin minted from 1856 to 1858. Today, they are seldom seen in circulation but are cherished by coin collectors and enthusiasts of American history alike. Offered here is a pleasant example hand-selected by professional numismatists after screening thousands of coins for quality and eye-appeal. Each coin is housed in an airtight capsule and presented in a plush-lined box with display easel, magnetic lid, and certificate of authenticity. The coin is unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine, dated between 1880 and 1909, and will match the quality of the one shown.

In the first half of the 18th century, one cent coins were large, clunky copper pieces nearly the size of a modern half dollar. By 1856, the cost of producing these copper coins rose so high that the U.S. mint was forced to significantly reduce the size of the one cent coin. On May 25th, 1857 the mint debuted a new small diameter cent, the Flying Eagle cent, which was the same size as our modern-day Lincoln cent. However, due to difficulties in production and issues with strike quality, this new cent was quickly abandoned and replaced by the Indian Head cent, which was minted through 1909. Initially, the coin was produced in a copper-nickel alloy before changing to bronze composition. Indian cents remained in circulation through the 1940s until increasing value and interest among coin collectors rendered them scarce by 1950.

The obverse of the Indian Head cent features Lady Liberty wearing a Native American war bonnet— regarded by the public at the time as a decidedly unusual headdress for a female figure of otherwise neoclassical Greek form. The reverse originally featured an olive wreath, which was later changed to a wreath of oak and other leaves with a shield at the apex.