Indian Head Cent

Brief Description

The obverse features a profile of Liberty wearing a Native American headdress (feather bonnet), with the date '1871' at the bottom and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' inscribed along the rim. This specific specimen appears to be heavily circulated, dark in tone, and possibly damaged at the top edge.

Historical Significance

Designed by James B. Longacre, the Indian Head Cent was produced by the U.S. Mint between 1859 and 1909. The 1871 issue is considered a 'key date' or semi-key date due to its low mintage of roughly 3.9 million, making it significantly rarer and more valuable to collectors than common-year issues.

Estimated Value

$60 - $400+ depending on condition. While 1871 is a rare date, the heavy wear and environmental damage seen on this specimen would put it at the lower end of the valuation scale.

Care Instructions

Do not clean the coin; abrasive cleaning or chemical dips can permanently destroy the numismatic value. Handle only by the edges and store in a PVC-free plastic flip or archival-safe coin holder to prevent further oxidation or damage.

Created At: 2026-03-25T14:23:55.843165