Indian Head Cent

United States of America · 1894

A classic American bronze cent featuring a portrait of Liberty in a Native American headdress and a wreathed reverse.

Country: United States of America
Year: 1894
Denomination: One Cent ($0.01)
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 July 14, 2026More united states of america coins →

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Overview

A classic American bronze cent featuring a portrait of Liberty in a Native American headdress and a wreathed reverse.

Historical significance

Designed by James B. Longacre, the Indian Head Cent was the primary small cent of the United States from 1859 to 1909, spanning the Civil War through the turn of the century.

Obverse (front)

A bust of Lady Liberty facing left wearing a Native American feathered headdress. The word 'LIBERTY' appears on the band. Legends 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and the date '1894'.

Reverse (back)

An oak wreath tied at the bottom with a ribbon, enclosing the words 'ONE CENT'. A small shield is at the top of the wreath.

Estimated value

$2-$5 in Good/Fine condition, $25-$50 in About Uncirculated, and $100-$300+ in Mint State grades.

What drives this coin's value

Sharpness of the feathers and the visibility of 'LIBERTY' on the headband determine the grade and value. Surface color and lack of corrosion are also key.

Grade assessment

Good to Very Good (G-VG). The portrait is worn, details in the feathers are blended, and the word 'LIBERTY' on the headband is likely nearly worn away.

Mintage & rarity

16,749,500 minted; relatively common for the series, though harder to find in higher grades.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for correct weight (3.11g) and diameter. Common fakes may have soft details or mushy lettering. The 1894 is not frequently counterfeited compared to key dates like 1877.

Notable varieties & errors

The 1894/894 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) and various Repunched Dates (RPD) are sought after by specialists.

Similar coins

Often confused with the 1859 'No Shield' variety (which has a laurel wreath) or the 1860-1864 Copper-Nickel varieties which are thicker and lighter in color.

Care & preservation

Store in a PVC-free coin flip or capsule to prevent oxidation. Never clean the coin, as chemical or abrasive cleaning significantly reduces numismatic value.