1859 Indian Head Penny
Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90
1859-64 indian head cent copper-nickel There was nothing penny-ante about the one cent piece in the mid-19th century: Its buying power was substantial. The famed King Ranch in Texas, for example, came into being in 1853 when steamboat captain Richard King bought 15,500 acres for just $300, less than two cents per acre. About Indian Head Pennies. Though Lincoln now graces the American penny, there have been several other incarnations of the cent, the best known being the Indian head penny. The longest running version other than the Lincoln cent, its introduction in 1859 replaced a penny the size of the modern half dollar.
First year of issue the 1859 Indian head penny value remains high due to collector demand.
Your coin may be worn, the design somewhat faded, however today it is needed by many who are assembling collections of Indian pennies.
When deciding on value, special attention is placed on condition. Examples displaying greater detail become very desirable and command a strong premium.
Above is an exceptional and rare 1859 penny, never circulated, still bright copper red as the day of minting. Value is in excess of $215 with steady demand.
Assuring its popularity because of its uniqueness, the reverse design was changed the following year resulting in the 1859 cent as a one year design type.
| 1859 Indian Head Penny Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition of Coin | ||||
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1859 Indian Head Penny Value Updated | 2021 | |||
| 1859 | $11 | $22 | $92 | $217 |
1859 Pennies are a One Year Type
Your 1859 penny is distinct and separate from the following years, the reverse design is very different. As a one year type coin the 1859 Indian head penny value is strong, it is a major addition to any collection.
Your coin's reverse features a Laurel wreath surrounding 'One Cent' tied at the bottom with a ribbon.
The following year 1860 and for the rest is the Indian penny series an oak wreath was featured. Additionally, a shield was placed at the top and three arrows were added and tied to the base of the wreath with a ribbon.
Your coin because of its one of a kind status is a collection all to itself.
Value Found in Accurate Grading
Judging the state of preservation of your coin is known as 'grading' by dealers and collectors. How well it survived and the amount of wear determines value. Noticeable features separate the varying degrees of possible wear, the differences are highlighted below. By comparing your coin to the images and determining its grade you can find the accurate 1859 Indian head penny value on the chart.
Uncirculated: Desirable because no wear is affecting the surfaces. This penny despite its age is in like new condition. Toning may appear as a dark redness and brown, however no parts of the design have been worn from contact. With a magnifying glass examine her cheek and the tips of the feathers for wear. Minting imparts a certain grain to the surfaces of coins, wear can appear as a somewhat glossy or smooth area and sometimes with dullness to the area.
Extremely Fine: Sharply defined describes this grade. You have to look close to find the small amount of wear present on the hair just above the ear. Notice a slight flattening to the cheek below her eye, and the ribbon trailing below her headdress. Overall a nice coin with a pleasing appearance.
Fine: Wear has merged the hairline and headband and continues down the neckline smoothing the ribbon and hair curl where they meet. A positive is the major details of the feathers show and each feather is separated from the next. Clearly a coin that has seen moderate wear but still has some sharpness.
Good: Heavy wear has reduced the portrait to almost a flat silhouette. The headband and hair above the eye are no longer separated, hair curls along her neck and ribbon are merged. Despite its worn appearance Indian head pennies in this condition are very popular.
Coin Values CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Indian Penny Value
1859 to 1882
1859 | 1865 | 1871 | 1877 |
1860 | 1866 | 1872 | 1878 |
1861 | 1867 | 1873 | 1879 |
1862 | 1868 | 1874 | 1880 |
1863 | 1869 | 1875 | 1881 |
1864 | 1870 | 1876 | 1882 |
Date by Date
In Depth Indian Penny Value
1883 to 1909
1883 | 1890 | 1897 | 1904 |
1884 | 1891 | 1898 | 1905 |
1885 | 1892 | 1899 | 1906 |
1886 | 1893 | 1900 | 1907 |
1887 | 1894 | 1901 | 1908 |
1888 | 1895 | 1902 | 1909 |
1889 | 1896 | 1903 |
One dollar to 2 dollars for common dates. With many advanced collectors 1859 Indian Head Penny For Sale
pursuing Indian pennies the rare dates are rapidly moving higher in value. Better condition coins are especially sought. Your box of old coins has never been more valuable.
Penny values listed for US cents. From the earliest Half and Large cents, to Indian head pennies to the popular Wheat cents of 1909 to 1958.
Match your coins to the grading images and value charts. Some of these old pennies have amazing values.
★Coin Values Discovery finds... 1859 Indian Head Penny Value and...
All old US coin values. The home page is an excellent index, quickly leading to the major coin series. From Cents to Gold. Get the best price if selling and finding coin buyers by knowing accurate values.
The Indian Head Penny also sometimes referred to as the Indian Head Cent by collectors is a copper coin that preceded the Wheat Penny and Lincoln Penny. Years minted 1859-1909
The front (obverse) of the coin contains the head of Lady Liberty wearing a chieftains headdress sometimes referred to as a war bonnet.
The rear (reverse) cointains a wreath and the words one cent as well as a shield on the top middle. The original 1959 release did not include the shield, but all other years do.
The face value of this coin is 1 cent. The chemical composition is 88% copper and 12% nickel from the years 1859-1864. The composition changes in 1965 95% copper, 5% tin (sometimes zinc was used in place of copper).
1859 Indian Head Penny Value
The coins are popular with those Native American heritage, and while just 2 million individuals are enrolled as members of a tribe, most people in the US today claim to be at least part Native American.
I remember fondly collecting the Indian Head Pennies and the Buffalo Nickels with my Grandmother who was 50% Cherokee. So on a personal note I love these coins, if for nothing else than their sentimental value.
As with most coins of this age the Indian Head Cent is worth many times more than it's face value indicates. Prices are well above the $10 mark for all of these coins (even in less than mint state) up until about 1879 at which time the minimum is still $1 to $3 on average. Point being..if you find one don't spend it at face value.
1859 Indian Head Penny Value
* Notice as of December 2006 it is illegal to melt down US Minted Pennies and Nickels, and there is a $10,000 fine to help enforce the law. It is legal however to melt down silver dollars, half dollars, dimes, quarters for their content.