One Cent (1¢)

Indian Head Cent

United States of America · 1871

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.

Country: United States of America
Year: 1871
Denomination: One Cent (1¢)
Metal: Bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified March 25, 2026More united states of america coins →

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Overview

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 & preservation

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.

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Overview

Historical significance

Estimated value

Care & preservation

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Learn about Indian Head Cent in the encyclopedia