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The Indian Head cent, or Indian Head Penny, was designed by James Barton Longacre and struck from 1859 until 1909. It was minted in both Philadelphia and San Francisco.

The coin featured the head of Lady Liberty, facing left and wearing a Native American head...

For the first year it was struck, the reverse of the Indian Head cent depicted the denomination – the words "one cent" – inside a laurel wreath. The following year, the laurel wreath became an oak wreath, thought to symbolize authority. Arrows were added to the bottom an a heraldic shield was added at the top.

The Indian Head penny was produced using the same material as the Flying Eagle cent – a mixture of copper and nickel – until 1864, when the nickel was removed, changing the coin’s color.

Although there are slight variations in design, the images remained virtually the same (excluding the obvious change on the reverse after the first year) until the coin ceased production in 1909.

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Recent News: Indian Head Cents

Source: Google News

Ross Douthat: Academia's diversity is only skin-deep
Anchorage Daily News, May 23rd

In the photographs I have of him, he certainly looks the part, with a profile suited for an Indian Head penny. My great-grandfather left an autobiography behind, though (that's how I know about the canoes and the clambake), and I went back to it...Read more

Riverheads fifth-grader knows safety
News Virginian, May 22nd

Adam also enjoys collecting coins, especially the Franklin half-dollar and the Indian Head Penny. “My dad got me into it when he was little,” he said. Adam, the son of Glenn and Laurin Hanger, also enjoys going to car shows and hunting with his...Read more

Major Deal Highlights Denver ANA
NumisMaster.com, May 16th

Indian Head cent specialist Rick Snow of Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Tucson, Ariz., complimented the hard work of the ANA staff and he said he liked the city, but “not enough collectors came out.” Snow also said of the show: “They really need an auction tied...Read more

After the Break - What Worked and What Didn't in 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen
The Cardboard Connection, May 2nd

This year, Topps replaced the stamps with Indian Head Penny Relic cards. I understand the changing of what was included and welcome the change each year. It was the right move, in my opinion, and my buyers tend to agree. What went wrong here is last...Read more

Prices Are Low Considering Mintages
NumisMaster.com, May 2nd

Even at that price the 1865 is still relatively inexpensive when you compare it to the proof rarities in other denominations where a set in proof might also be an option as the 1864L Indian Head cent or 1867 with rays Shield nickel are much tougher and...Read more

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