4/11/2022

1896 Indian Head Penny

1896 Indian Head Penny 5,9/10 4740 reviews
1882 Indian Head Cent
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The Indian Head Penny is a one cent coin that was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 through 1909.

The 1896 United States 'indian head' one. Cent obverse features Liberty facing left, wearing an indian headdress with 'LIBERTY' on the headband. The Indian Head cent, also known as an Indian Head penny, was a one-cent coin ($0.01) 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. From 1793 to 1857, the cent was a copper coin about the size of a half dollar. An 1896 Indian head cent graded MS 65 RD by PCGS. This coin holds a sharp strike throughout the obverse and reverse with nice full red original surfaces. It has been stored in a PCGS secure label holder. The PCGS secure photos provided give an accurate representation of how this coin looks in hand. The Indian Head cent, also known as an Indian Head penny, was a one-cent coin ($0.01) 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. From 1793 to 1857, the cent was a copper coin about the size of a half dollar.The discovery of gold in California caused a large. 1893 Indian Head pennies were designed by James B. Longacre, who served as the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1844 until his death in 1869. In addition to designing the Indian Head penny in 1859, he also designed the two-cent piece. In 1864, that became the first U.S. Coin to bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.

On the front of the coin, Liberty is depicted as a Native American wearing a feather head dress with the word 'LIBERTY' on it.

The words 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', and the date also appear on the front of the Indian Head Cent.

For the first year, the reverse had the words 'ONE CENT' inside a laurel wreath.

In 1860 this was changed to an oak wreath with a small shield.

The Indian Head Pennies were made up of 88% copper and 12% nickel from 1859 to 1864. Then in 1864 they began making them of bronze which is 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. The weight of the coins was also reduced.

The early Indian Head Cents also went by the nickname 'Nick' or nickel. This was before there was such a thing as the nickel 5 cent coin we know today. They were given that name because of the nickel they contained.

The Indian Head Pennies lost their nickname in 1866 when five cent nickel coins were produced.

It has been rumored that the model for the Indian likeness was the daughter of James Barton Longacre who designed the Indian Head Penny, but it has not been proven.

In 1908 the Indian Head Penny was produced at the San Francisco Mint. This was the first time that one cent coins were minted anywhere but the Philadelphia Mint.

The Indian Pennies produced at the San Francisco mint have the 'S' mint mark. The coins minted in Philadelphia, however, do not have any identifying mint marks. An Indian Head Penny with and 'S' mint mark is somewhat scarce, hence they are more valuable than other Indian Head Cents.

Head

The Denver Mint did not see one cent coin production until 1911.

There are Three Varieties of Indian Head Pennies

Variety 1 - Copper-Nickel, Laurel Wreath Reverse 1859

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1859 Type 1
Indian Head Penny
Type Variety 1 - Copper-Nickel, Laurel Wreath Reverse
Designer James B. Longacre
Years Minted 1859 Only
Weight 4.67 grams
Composition 88% copper, 12% nickel
Diameter approx. 19 mm
Edge plain
Mintage 36,400,000

Variety 2 - Copper-Nickel, Oak Wreath With Shield 1860-1864

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1860-1864 Type 2
Indian Head Cent
Indian
Type Variety 2 - Copper-Nickel, Oak Wreath With Shield
Designer James B. Longacre
Years Minted 1860-1864
Weight 4.67 grams
Composition 88% copper, 12% nickel
Diameter approx. 19 mm
Edge plain
Mintage 1860 - 20,566,000
1861 - 10,100,000
1862 - 28,075,000
1863 - 49,840,000
1864 - 13,740,000

Variety 3 - Bronze 1864-1909

1896 Indian Head Penny Error

During the Civil War, almost all gold and silver coins disappeared from circulation. Eventually the copper-nickel coins also became scarce. Merchants in larger cities began to issue their own copper tokens so that they would have change for their customers. The government stepped in in 1864 and began issuing its own thin bronze one cent coin. They also made the merchant's tokens illegal.

(click image for larger view)
1864-1909 Type 3
Indian Head Cent
Type Variety 3 - Bronze
Designer James B. Longacre
Years Minted 1864-1909
Weight 3.11 grams
Composition 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Diameter approx. 19 mm
Edge plain
Mints Philadelphia - no mint mark
San Francisco - S
Mintage PhiladelphiaSan Francisco - S
1864 - 39,233,714 1908S - 1,115,000
1865 - 35,429,286 1909S - 309,000
1866 - 9,826,500
1867 - 9,821,000
1868 - 10,266,500
1869 - 6,420,000
1870 - 5,275,000
1871 - 3,929,500
1872 - 4,042,000
1873 - 11,676,500
1874 - 14,187,500
1875 - 13,528,000
1876 - 7,944,000
1877 - 852,500
1878 - 5,797,500
1879 - 16,228,000
1880 - 38,961,000
1881 - 39,208,000
1882 - 38,578,000
1883 - 45,591,500
1884 - 23,257,800
1885 - 11,761,594
1886 - 17,650,000
1887 - 45,223,523
1888 - 37,489,832
1889 - 48,866,025
1890 - 57,180,114
1891 - 47,070,000
1892 - 37,647,087
1893 - 46,640,000
1894 - 16,749,500
1895 - 38,341,574
1896 - 39,055,431
1897 - 50,464,392
1898 - 48,821,284
1899 - 53,598,000
1900 - 66,831,502
1901 - 79,609,158
1902 - 87,374,704
1903 - 85,092,703
1904 - 61,326,198
1905 - 80,717,011
1906 - 96,020,530
1907 - 108,137,143
1908 - 32,326,367
1909 - 14,368,470


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CoinTrackers.com has estimated the 1896 Indian Head Penny value at an average of $3, one in certified mint state (MS+) could be worth $65. (see details)...

Type:Indian Head Penny
Year:1896
Mint Mark: No mint mark
Face Value: 0.01 USD
Total Produced: 39,055,000 [?]
Silver Content: 0%
Numismatic Value: $3 to $65.00
Value: As a rough estimate of this coins value you can assume this coin in average condition will be valued at somewhere around $3, while one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $65 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say average, we mean in a similar condition to other coins issued in 1896, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. [?].

Additional Info: This coin was designed by James Barton Longacre, Head Engraver at mint.


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**When we say that 39,055,000, of these coins were produced or minted in 1896 this number doesn't always match the actual circulation count for this coin. The numbers come from the United States mint, and they don't reflect coins that have been melted, destroyed, or those that have never been released. Please keep that in mind.

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***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value.Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.

1896 Indian Head Penny Value

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1896 Indian Head Penny Error

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