Indian Head Penny Values
How Much Is My Indian Head Penny (1859-1909) Worth?
By James Bucki, About.com Guide
This guide is intended to give you an idea of how much your Indian Head penny minted from 1859 to 1909 is worth. The table listed below provides average coin values based upon the condition of the coin. If the coin shows evidence of wear on it due to being used in commerce, it considered "circulated." If it was never used, then it is classified as "uncirculated." The pictures below illustrate examples of each condition. Some coins are very valuable even in well worn condition. Please note: You cannot increase a coin's value by cleaning it. In fact, cleaned coins are worth considerable less and coin dealers can spot a cleaned coin immediately. Therefore, never, never, never clean your coins.
Introduction to Coin Values
There are many factors that go into determining the value of your coins. First of all you must understand how the coin market works. If a coin dealer runs out of 1864 Indian Head pennies, he cannot just call the mint and order more of them because the mint does not make coins dated 1864 anymore. The coin dealer has to replenish his supply by buying coins from other dealers or people off the street. What he pays you for that coin when you sell it to him is known as the "wholesale price" or "value." If you want to buy that 1864 Indian Head cent from the coin dealer, that is known as the "retail price" or "price."
Quick Link:
Market Analysis
Indian Head pennies contain no precious metals (i.e. silver, gold, etc.). Therefore, their value is derived from demands from collectors. Many people collect these, so the market is quite active and most dealers will pay top-dollar for nice specimens. But don't expect to walk in to a coin shop with a big can or bag of Indian Head pennies and have the coin dealer dig through them to pull out the nice ones. If you want to get paid top dollar for your coins, you need to sort and organize them so the dealer can quickly see what you have.
Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties
The following Indian Head pennies in any condition, are worth considerable more than common ones. As such, these coins are frequently counterfeit or altered from common Indian Head cents. Therefore, before you start celebrating your early retirement with your new found fortune, have the coin authenticated by a reputable coin dealer or third party grading service. In addition to what is listed below, there are several more Indian Head penny rarities and varieties that are beyond the scope of this article.
- 1869 9/9 (Doubled "9" in the date)
- 1873 Dbl Liberty ("LIBERTY" is doubled on the Indian's headdress)
- 1877
- 1888 8/7 (The remnant of a "7" is underneath the last "8" in the date)
- 1909 S
Quick Links:
- Indian Head Penny Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties {with descriptions and detailed photos}
- The 1877 Indian Cent
Condition or Grade Examples
Circulated
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Uncirculated
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Click on the photos above for a larger image. Photos courtesy of Teletrade Coin Auctions, www.teletrade.com Quick Links: |
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Mint Marks
Indian Head pennies were produced at two different mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), and San Francisco (S). As illustrated in the picture below, the mint mark is located on the reverse of the coin, just below the wreath.
Mint Mark Location |
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| Images Courtesy of: Heritage Auction Galleries, Ha.com | |
Average Circulated and Uncirculated Values
The following table lists the value (what you can expect a dealer to pay you when you sell your coin) for your Indian Head penny. The first column lists the date and mint mark (small letter below the wreath, if there is one) followed by the value of an average circulated Indian Head penny and the average value for an uncirculated one. These are approximate values and the actual offer that you will receive from a particular dealer will vary depending on the actual grade of the penny and a number of other factors.
| Date | Avg Circ | Avg Unc | Date | Avg Circ | Avg Unc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper & Nickel Composition | 1883 | $5.60 | $50.00 | |||
| 1859 | $18.00 | $350.00 | 1884 | $7.10 | $62.00 | |
| 1860 | $17.00 | $170.00 | 1885 | $15.00 | $90.00 | |
| 1861 | $29.00 | $190.00 | 1886 Type I | $20.00 | $150.00 | |
| 1862 | $9.00 | $120.00 | 1886 Type II | $39.00 | $240.00 | |
| 1863 | $9.00 | $120.00 | 1887 | $2.00 | $47.00 | |
| 1864 | $25.00 | $190.00 | 1888 | $4.20 | $80.00 | |
| Bronze Composition (95% Copper, 5% Tin) | 1888 8/7 * | $4,000.00 | $24,000.00 | |||
| 1864 No L Ribbon | $18.00 | $90.00 | 1889 | $2.90 | $40.00 | |
| 1864 L Ribbon | $90.00 | $350.00 | 1890 | $3.00 | $39.00 | |
| 1865 | $13.00 | $80.00 | 1891 | $3.40 | $40.00 | |
| 1866 | $60.00 | $210.00 | 1892 | $3.50 | $40.00 | |
| 1867 | $60.00 | $210.00 | 1893 | $3.70 | $36.00 | |
| 1868 | $53.00 | $200.00 | 1894 | $9.50 | $65.00 | |
| 1869 | $150.00 | $440.00 | 1895 | $2.90 | $30.00 | |
| 1869 9/9 * | $350.00 | $700.00 | 1896 | $3.70 | $33.00 | |
| 1870 | $140.00 | $430.00 | 1897 | $2.30 | $30.00 | |
| 1871 | $140.00 | $420.00 | 1898 | $1.70 | $35.00 | |
| 1872 | $180.00 | $800.00 | 1899 | $2.50 | $34.00 | |
| 1873 Open 3 | $44.00 | $180.00 | 1900 | $3.10 | $27.00 | |
| 1873 Closed 3 | $51.00 | $290.00 | 1901 | $2.40 | $20.00 | |
| 1873 Dbl Liberty * | $1,000.00 | $8,000.00 | 1902 | $2.40 | $24.00 | |
| 1874 | $32.00 | $150.00 | 1903 | $2.40 | $25.00 | |
| 1875 | $38.00 | $160.00 | 1904 | $2.50 | $23.00 | |
| 1876 | $55.00 | $275.00 | 1905 | $1.80 | $22.00 | |
| 1877 * | $1,000.00 | $3,000.00 | 1906 | $1.90 | $20.00 | |
| 1878 | $50.00 | $240.00 | 1907 | $1.80 | $24.00 | |
| 1879 | $13.00 | $70.00 | 1908 | $1.80 | $22.00 | |
| 1880 | $6.70 | $58.00 | 1908 S | $80.00 | $250.00 | |
| 1881 | $5.10 | $45.00 | 1909 | $7.60 | $29.00 | |
| 1882 | $4.70 | $52.00 | 1909 S * | $490.00 | $1,000.00 | |
*= Click here for more detailed infomation on these
Indian Head Penny Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties
These values have been compiled through my personal analysis of the coin market, referencing publications such as Numismatic News,
Coin World, "The Official Blue Book; Handbook of U.S. Coins," The Coin Dealer Newsletter,
published auction results and consulting with various coin dealers.
Read More About Indian Head Cents:
Indian Head Penny Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties How to Grade Indian Head Pennies Grading the Color of Copper Coins
Read About How to Sell Your Coins
How to Sell Your Coins for the Most Money What Determines the Value and Price of Coins? How to Find an Honest Coin Dealer How to Sell Coins on eBay
Read How to Preserve and Protect Your Coins
Protecting, Preserving and Storing Your Coin Collection Seven Ways to Ruin Your Coins
