Indian Head Cent
Bronze Composite Penny
Heritage Auction Galleries. In 1859, when Indian Head cents were first made, they were composed of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel. In 1864, the U.S. Mint stopped using nickel in the production of Indian Head pennies and changed to a bronze composition, consisting of 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc. The Indian Head cent, also known as an Indian Head penny, was a one cent coin produced by the United States Bureau of the Mint from 1859 to 1909. It was designed by James Barton Longacre, the Chief Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint. For collectors, the Indian Head Cent. Coin Value Price Chart for Indian Head Cent 1C. Lookup Coin values for Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine, Brilliant Uncirculated & Proof conditions and MS grade. How much Indian Head Cent are worth. Coins for sale for Indian Head Cent. Coin Value Price Chart for Indian Head Cent 1C. Lookup Coin values for Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine, Brilliant Uncirculated & Proof conditions and MS grade. How much Indian Head Cent are worth. Coins for sale for Indian Head Cent type items.
What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):
| Good (G-4) | Very Good (VG-8) | Fine (F-12) | Very Fine (VF-20) | Extremely Fine (EF-40) | About Uncirculated (AU-50) | Uncirculated (MS-60) | Uncirculated (MS-63) | Proof (PR-63) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2.17 | $3.14 | $4.89 | $6.32 | $11 | $22 | $40 | $60 | $152 |
USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1905 Indian Head Penny is Worth $3.14 in Average Condition and can be Worth $40 to $60 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Proof Coins can be Worth $152 or more. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins. The Melt Value shown below is how Valuable the Coin's Metal is Worth (bare minimum value of coin). Click here to see the Melt Value of every US Coin.
MELT VALUE: $0.0241
116 items found
- $1.99
- Seller: pchuck
Condition: Fine - The coin shown in the photos is the exact coin you'll receive.Seller: upnorthcoins
Condition: F-15 - Seller: cdspdxcoins
Condition: VF30 - Seller: cdspdxcoins
Condition: F12 - Seller: tecoins
Condition: EF45 - $4.50
or Best OfferSeller: collectorcoins2020
Condition: XF condition - $5.00
or Best Offer - The coin shown in the photos is the exact coin you'll receive.Seller: upnorthcoins
Condition: VG-8 - Seller: 1909S
Condition: MS63RB - Seller: schmt1
- The coin shown in the photos is the exact coin you'll receiveSeller: upnorthcoins
Condition: VG-08 - $4.50
- $5.00
- Seller: tecoins
Condition: AU55 - $3.95
Free Shipping - Seller: coinrat
Condition: Circulated - Seller: coinrat
Condition: Circulated - Seller: 1909S
Condition: VF30 - $3.95
Free Shipping - Seller: whcwa
Condition: Circulated - $2.60
Free Shipping - Seller: 1909S
Condition: XF40 - $5.50
Free Shipping - Seller: 1909S
Condition: F12
The Indian Head Penny also sometimes referred to as the Indian Head Cent by collectors is a copper coin that preceded the Wheat Penny and Lincoln Penny. Years minted 1859-1909
The front (obverse) of the coin contains the head of Lady Liberty wearing a chieftains headdress sometimes referred to as a war bonnet.
The rear (reverse) cointains a wreath and the words one cent as well as a shield on the top middle. The original 1959 release did not include the shield, but all other years do.
The face value of this coin is 1 cent. The chemical composition is 88% copper and 12% nickel from the years 1859-1864. The composition changes in 1965 95% copper, 5% tin (sometimes zinc was used in place of copper).
The coins are popular with those Native American heritage, and while just 2 million individuals are enrolled as members of a tribe, most people in the US today claim to be at least part Native American.
I remember fondly collecting the Indian Head Pennies and the Buffalo Nickels with my Grandmother who was 50% Cherokee. So on a personal note I love these coins, if for nothing else than their sentimental value.
As with most coins of this age the Indian Head Cent is worth many times more than it's face value indicates. Prices are well above the $10 mark for all of these coins (even in less than mint state) up until about 1879 at which time the minimum is still $1 to $3 on average. Point being..if you find one don't spend it at face value.
Rare Indian Head Pennies
* Notice as of December 2006 it is illegal to melt down US Minted Pennies and Nickels, and there is a $10,000 fine to help enforce the law. It is legal however to melt down silver dollars, half dollars, dimes, quarters for their content.