The Most Valuable Varieties of Indian Head Pennies (2023)

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  See Also

  1905 Indian Head Penny Value (Rare Errors & No Mintmarks)How much is a 1905 Indian Head penny worth? (price chart)1905 Indian Head Penny Value: Aren't Mintmarks Worth Money?

  1864 Indian Head Cent Kupfer: Nickel vs. Bronze

  

  When Indian Head cents were first made in 1859, they were made of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel. In 1864 the U.S. Mined the use of nickel in the manufacture of Indian Head pennies, switching to a bronze composition that was 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc.

  Over 13 million pennies dated 1864 were minted using the copper and nickel composition. Over 39 million coins dated 1864 have been made with the bronze composition. The copper and nickel coins are slightly silvery in color while the bronze coins are a deeper orange color. Circulating bronze coins have a brown patina and the copper-nickel coins retain some of their silver color.

  The 1864 Indian Head penny, which contained the copper-nickel alloys, is sold at a premium of about 30 percent over the bronze alloy.

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  1864 Indian Head Penny: No "L" on ribbon

  

  There are two variants of the 1864 bronze Indian Head Penny. The first has a plain looped tail behind the neck where the headband meets the locks of hair. Another indication of this variant is that the breast tip is rounder than in the variant with the "L".

  This is the more common variety of the 1864 Indian Head penny, so it sells for a lower price than the variety with the "L" on the band next to the last tail feather.

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  1864 Indian Head Penny: "L" on ribbon

  

  (Video) RARE INDIAN HEAD PENNIES WORTH BIG MONEY - INDIAN HEAD PENNY VALUE!!

  Later in 1864 an "L" was added to the band, resulting in a different variant of the 1864 Indian Head penny. The small "L" is on the band behind the nape of the neck where the headband meets the locks of hair. This "L" is the last initial of designer James B. Longacre. You can also look at the bust point, which is more pointed on this variant than on the variant without the "L" on the band.

  This variant of the 1864 Indian Head penny typically sells almost four times as much as the one without the "L" on the band. However, beware of changes to well-circulated coins. The positioning of the “L” in the design allows it to wear off before the rest of the design elements. Pay close attention to whether you are on the lookout for fakes and fakes that may be on the market. When purchasing coins of a higher value, make sure that you are buying from a reputable coin dealer and that you have received themcertified by an external assessment service.

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  1869 Indian Head Penny: 69 over 69 variety

  

  A production problem arose in the manufacture of the stamps for the 1869 Indian Head cent, resulting in adouble die. The doubling is most noticeable in the last two digits of the date, "69". Above the two numbers, look for a shadow of the two numbers. As these coins circulated, the delicate doubling tended to wear out. So be extra cautious before paying a premium for a worn 1869 Indian Head Penny 69/69 variant.

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  1873 Indian Head Penny: Open 3 grades

  

  Two different variants of the "3" were used when engraving the date on the die in the coin. The first variety has a "3" in the datum, which is more open as indicated by the space between the ends of the loops in the numeral. Both the Open 3 Variety and the Closed 3 Variety (see below) are almost identical in price. Neither of them carries a significant premium over the other.

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  1873 Indian Head Penny: Closed 3 grades

  

  The second variety of Indian Head penny, dated 1873, has a "3" in the date, which is more closed than the open "3" variety, as pictured above. Again, no strain has a significant premium over the other. However, you should look at the word LIBERTY in the Indian's headdress to determine if it is a double-dice variety (see below).

  (Video) These RARE Indian Head Pennies are Worth A LOT of Money!!

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  1873 Indian Head Penny: Double Liberty Variety

  

  Another production error in 1873 resulted in duplicate stamp diversity. This is most noticeable in the "LIBERTY" lettering on the headband. Duplication can also be seen at the hairline and eye. This variety is valuable in any quality.

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  1877 Indian Head Penny: Key Date

  

  While not an error or variety, the 1877 Indian Head cent had an extremely low mintage of just 852,500 coins. This has made them a key date and one of the most valuable coins in the series. As this is the most valuable coin in the series, it is often counterfeited. Beware of coins that are uncertified and offered at a bargain price.

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  1886 Indian Head Penny: Typ 1 oder Sorte I

  

  A production change in 1886 resulted in two different types of Indian Head cents being produced. The first, known as "Type I," has the last letter of the word "AMERICA" aligned with the lower curl on the Indian's chest.

  (Video) Top 8 Most Valuable Indian Head Cents - Errors, Varieties, and Key Dates

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  1886 Indian Head Penny: Type 2 or Grade II

  

  The second grade of 1886 Indian Head Cents has the last letter in the word "AMERICA" aligned more to the right of the lower curl on the Indian's bust. This is the more valuable variety and is sold for a premium over the Type 1 coin. The premium ranges from 30 to 50% more value.

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  1888 Indian Head Penny: Last 8 over 7 variety

  

  Although somewhat controversial, it is believed to be an 1887 Indian Head centHubwas reused to make the 1888 Indian Head cents. The lower part of the last digit of the date still protrudes from the lower left corner of the "8".

  This is the rarest and one of the most valuable Indian Head penny varieties found to date. Be wary of unscrupulous coin validators who have added a small nugget to the end of the last "8" in the date. Make sure you buy your coins from a trusted coin dealer and that the coin is certified by 1/3 of the grading companies.

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  1909-S Indian Head Penny: Key Date

  

  In 1909, the Lincoln cent design replaced the Indian Head penny, but not until nearly 300,000 Indian Head cents were being produced at the San Francisco Mint. This extremely low mintage makes this another key to Indian Head's cent series.