Common Indian Head Pennies

Laurel Wreath Reverse

• The first Indian Head penny minted in 1859 featured a composition of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, with a diameter of 19mm and a weight of 4.67 g. A laurel wreath circled the words "ONE CENT" on the reverse of these pennies and had a plain edge, rather than the reeded edge common among other coins. All coins of this variety were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

Oak Wreath &Shield Reverse

• The design of the Indian Head penny was tweaked slightly for the coins minted from 1860 to 1909. While the dimensions and composition of the coin remain unchanged, the mint removed the laurel wreath and added an oak wreath to the reverse. A shield was placed at the top of the wreath directly above "ONE CENT."

Bronze

• Many gold, silver and copper-nickel coins were removed from circulation during the Civil War. The mint began striking the Indian Head penny with a bronze alloy composed of 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc in 1864. This continued to be the composition of the penny through its discontinuation in 1909 in favor of the Lincoln cent. The San Francisco Mint began striking Indian Head pennies in 1908, and examples feature the "S" mint mark below the wreath on the reverse.

Values

• Although millions of Indian Head pennies were struck each year, the coin is hard enough to find in good numismatic conditions that it can be fairly valuable. Early examples in G-4, or good, condition regularly sell for $15 to $20 at 2010 prices. Examples in F-12, or fair, condition can sell for double this, while rare Indian Head pennies in uncirculated, or MS-60, condition usually bring triple digits.