The Indian Head Cent, minted from 1859 to 1909, is one of the most collectible and historically significant U.S. coins. Designed by James Barton Longacre, it features Lady Liberty wearing a Native American headdress on the front and a wreath on the back.
While millions of these pennies were made, some have become incredibly rare and valuable due to low mintage, errors, and historical significance.
Some Indian Head cents are now worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars! Let’s explore 10 of the most valuable Indian Head cents and what makes them special.
1. 1877 Indian Head Cent – The Rarest of Them All
The 1877 Indian Head Cent is the most valuable of the entire series due to its extremely low mintage—only 852,500 were made. Many were lost or worn down, making well-preserved examples incredibly rare.
- Auction Record: An MS-66 grade 1877 Indian Head Cent sold for over $150,000 in 2021.
2. 1909-S Indian Head Cent – The Final Year Rarity
The 1909-S Indian Head Cent was the last year of production, making it highly desirable among collectors. Only 309,000 were struck at the San Francisco Mint, making it one of the rarest in the series.
- Auction Record: A mint-condition MS-67 example sold for $97,750 in 2019.
3. 1864 “L on Ribbon” Indian Head Cent – A Small Detail, Big Value
This 1864 Indian Head Cent comes in two versions—one with a small “L” on Liberty’s ribbon and one without. The “L” version is much rarer and more valuable because it was part of an engraving change by the designer.
- Auction Record: A mint-condition MS-66 example sold for $60,000 in 2020.
4. 1869 Indian Head Cent – A Scarce Find in High Grades
The 1869 Indian Head Cent had a low mintage of only 6.4 million. Many of these coins circulated heavily, making high-grade examples very rare and valuable.
- Auction Record: A mint-condition MS-66 example sold for $48,875 in 2018.
5. 1872 Indian Head Cent – A Post-Civil War Treasure
The 1872 Indian Head Cent is one of the toughest coins to find in high grade because of heavy circulation. With only 4 million minted, it’s one of the rarest post-Civil War Indian Head cents.
- Auction Record: A MS-66 grade example sold for $40,250 in 2017.
6. 1871 Indian Head Cent – A Low-Mintage Classic
The 1871 Indian Head Cent had a mintage of only 3.9 million, making it one of the hardest-to-find coins in mint condition. Many of these coins were heavily used, making high-quality examples scarce.
- Auction Record: A MS-66 example sold for $35,250 in 2016.
7. 1870 Indian Head Cent – A Reconstruction-Era Gem
Minted during the Reconstruction Era, the 1870 Indian Head Cent had a mintage of just 5.2 million. This makes it a rare and highly collectible coin, especially in high-grade condition.
- Auction Record: A mint-condition MS-66 example sold for $30,550 in 2015.
8. 1868 Indian Head Cent – A Hard-to-Find Coin
Although 10.2 million of these were minted, most of them were heavily circulated. Finding a mint-condition 1868 Indian Head Cent is extremely difficult, which drives up its value.
- Auction Record: A pristine MS-66 example sold for $25,850 in 2014.
9. 1867 Indian Head Cent – A Post-Civil War Rarity
The 1867 Indian Head Cent is another post-Civil War issue with a low mintage. Many of these coins were used in daily transactions, making high-grade versions very rare and valuable.
- Auction Record: An MS-66 grade example sold for $20,700 in 2013.
10. 1863 Indian Head Cent – A Civil War-Era Classic
The 1863 Indian Head Cent was minted during the Civil War, when coin hoarding was common. While over 49 million were produced, many were worn out or lost, making high-quality examples rare.
- Auction Record: A mint-condition MS-66 example sold for $15,275 in 2012.
Table: 10 Most Valuable Indian Head Cents
| Coin | Mint | Value | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1877 Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $10,000 – $150,000+ | Lowest mintage of the series (852,500 coins) |
| 1909-S Indian Head Cent | San Francisco | $5,000 – $100,000+ | Final-year issue, rare “S” mintmark |
| 1864 “L on Ribbon” Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $4,000 – $60,000+ | Small “L” added to the design |
| 1869 Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $3,000 – $50,000+ | Low mintage, high collector demand |
| 1872 Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $2,500 – $40,000+ | Rare post-Civil War coin |
| 1871 Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $2,000 – $35,000+ | Low mintage, highly collectible |
| 1870 Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $1,500 – $30,000+ | Historical significance during Reconstruction Era |
| 1868 Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $1,000 – $25,000+ | Hard to find in mint condition |
| 1867 Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $800 – $20,000+ | Rare post-Civil War coin |
| 1863 Indian Head Cent | U.S. Mint | $500 – $15,000+ | Scarce Civil War-era example |
The Indian Head Cent series remains one of the most iconic and collectible coins in U.S. history. These pennies not only represent a piece of American history, but they have also increased in value over time.
Whether due to low mintage, historical significance, or unique features, these coins are highly sought after by collectors. If you ever come across an Indian Head Cent, take a closer look—you might just have a hidden treasure in your hands!
