Indian Head Penny

The Indian Head Penny is a one cent coin that was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 through 1909. On the front of the coin is the head of a Native American wearing a feather head dress with the word "LIBERTY" on it. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", and the date also appear on the front of the Indian cent.

Up until 1860, the reverse had the words "ONE CENT" inside a laurel wreath. In 1860 the wreath was changed to an oak wreath. Three arrows are inserted under the ribbon that binds the two branches of the wreath and the shield of the United States is above the ends of the branches.

The Indian Cents were made up of 88% copper and 12% nickel from 1859 to 1864. Then in 1864 they began making them of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. The weight of the coins was also reduced. The Indian cent also went by the nickname "Nick" or nickel. This was before there was such a thing as the nickel 5 cent coin we know today. The Indian cents lost their nickname in 1866 When five cent nickel coins were produced.

It has been rumored that the model for the Indian likeness was the daughter of James Barton Longacre who designed the Indian cent, but it has not been proven.

In 1908 the Indian cent was produced at the San Francisco Mint. This was the first time that one cent coins were minted anywhere but the Philadelphia Mint. The Indian cents produced at the San Francisco mint have the "S" mint mark. The coins minted in Philadelphia, however, do not have any identifying mint marks. An Indian Head Penny with and "S" mint mark is somewhat scarce, hence they are more valuable than other Indian cents.

The Denver Mint did not see one cent coin production until 1911.