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Designed by James B. Longacre, the Indian Head cent replaced the Flying Eagle cent in 1859 and ran for 50 years before the Lincoln cent took over in 1909. Its obverse shows a female Liberty in a Native American-style feathered headdress -- the popular story that Longacre modeled her on his own daughter Sarah is a long-repeated numismatic legend, not independently confirmed, so it's presented here as folklore rather than fact. The coin's composition changed twice: copper-nickel (1859-1864), then bronze for the remainder of the series (1864-1909).
Every date below is a recognised key date or variety. Common dates from the same series are worth far less and are usually valued closer to their metal content.
How many of each were struck — the shortest bar is the scarcest date in the series.
Bars are scaled to keep the smallest mintages visible; the exact figure is printed on every row. Mintage is coins struck, not coins surviving — melting and circulation wear thin those numbers further.
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About Indian Head Penny values
The 1877 tops this series: a top-grade example is estimated around $7,812. Condition drives that figure — the same date in worn condition is worth a fraction of it, which is why each guide shows a range rather than a single number.
By mintage, the 1909-S is the scarcest key date tracked here, with 309,000 struck. Mintage is coins struck rather than coins surviving, though — melting and circulation wear thin those numbers further, so survival estimates run lower still.
This guide covers 7 key dates and varieties from the Indian Head Penny series (1859–1909). Common dates from the same series are worth far less and are usually valued closer to their metal content.
Grading takes practice, and the gap between adjacent grades is real money on a key date. Compare your coin against the photographs on each date's page, and for anything potentially valuable consider having it certified by PCGS or NGC — a graded coin settles both authenticity and condition in one step.
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Every US series with key dates priced here.
