Indian Head Cents
(1859 - 1909)
The Indian Head Cent was introduced in 1859, replacing the short-lived Flying Eagle design. Created by James B. Longacre, the obverse features Liberty wearing a Native American–style headdress, while the reverse initially displayed a simple laurel wreath. In 1860, the reverse was modified to an oak wreath with a small shield at the top, creating an early subtype within the series.
A significant composition change occurred during its run. From 1859 through 1864, Indian Head cents were struck in a copper-nickel alloy (often called “white cents”) composed of 88% copper and 12% nickel, giving them a pale appearance and making them difficult to strike fully. Beginning in mid-1864, the Mint transitioned to a bronze composition of 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc, resulting in a darker color and improved striking quality. This bronze composition continued through the end of the series in 1909.
Collectors closely follow both design and composition subtypes, particularly the scarce 1877 key date and the 1908-S and 1909-S issues from the San Francisco Mint. With its long production span and mid-series alloy change, the Indian Head Cent remains one of the most studied and collected classic U.S. coin series.
Check out dates & mintages for Indian Head Cents, below.Business Strikes
Type 1, No Shield
1859 | 36,400,000
Type 2, Copper-Nickel
1860 | 20,566,000
1861 | 10,100,000
1862 | 28,075,000
1863 | 49,840,000
1864 (Copper) | 13,740,000
Type 3, Bronze
1864 (Bronze) | 39,233,714
1865 | 35,429,286
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 | 5,799,850
1879 | 16,231,200
1880 | 38,964,955
1881 | 39,211,575
1882 | 38,581,100
1883 | 45,589,109
1884 | 23,261,742
1885 | 11,765,384
1886 | 17,654,290
1887 | 45,226,483
1888 | 37,494,414
1889 | 48,869,361
1890 | 57,182,854
1891 | 47,072,350
1892 | 37,649,832
1893 | 46,642,195
1894 | 16,752,132
1895 | 38,343,636
1896 | 39,057,293
1897 | 50,466,330
1898 | 49,823,079
1899 | 53,600,031
1900 | 66,833,794
1901 | 79,611,143
1902 | 87,376,722
1903 | 85,094,493
1904 | 61,328,015
1905 | 80,719,163
1906 | 96,022,255
1907 | 108,138,618
1908 | 32,327,987
1908-S | 1,115,000
1909 | 14,370,645
1909-S | 309,000
Proof Strikes
Type 1, No Shield
1859 Proof | 800
Type 2, Copper-Nickel
1860 Proof | 1,000
1861 Proof | 1,000
1862 Proof | 2,000
1863 Proof | 1,000
1864 Proof (Copper) | 1,000
Type 3, Bronze
1864 Proof No L (Bronze) | 150
1864 Proof With L (Bronze) | 20
1865 Proof | 1,000
1866 Proof | 1,000
1867 Proof | 1,000
1868 Proof | 1,000
1869 Proof | 1,000
1870 Proof | 1,000
1871 Proof | 960
1872 Proof | 1,100
1873 Proof Close 3 | 2,000
1874 Proof | 1,200
1875 Proof | 1,250
1876 Proof | 2,000
1877 Proof | 1,500
1878 Proof | 2,350
1879 Proof | 3,200
1880 Proof | 3,955
1881 Proof | 3,575
1882 Proof | 3,100
1883 Proof | 6,609
1884 Proof | 3,942
1885 Proof | 3,790
1886 Proof | 4,290
1887 Proof | 2,960
1888 Proof | 4,582
1889 Proof | 3,336
1890 Proof | 2,740
1891 Proof | 2,350
1892 Proof | 2,745
1893 Proof | 2,195
1894 Proof | 2,632
1895 Proof | 2,062
1896 Proof | 1,862
1897 Proof | 1,938
1898 Proof | 1,795
1899 Proof | 2,031
1900 Proof | 2,262
1901 Proof | 1,985
1902 Proof | 2,018
1903 Proof | 1,790
1904 Proof | 1,817
1905 Proof | 2,152
1906 Proof | 1,725
1907 Proof | 1,475
1908 Proof | 1,620
1909 Proof | 2,175
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