1861 Indian Head Penny

Historical Notes

1861 Indian Head Penny from Philadelphia, early Civil War era.

The Indian Head Penny series began in 1859 to replace the larger, heavier Flying Eagle cent. James B. Longacre designed the coin while serving as the Chief Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint. He chose a portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a Native American headdress instead of an actual Native American figure. This design choice drew criticism for its lack of historical accuracy, but the coin remained popular with the public for half a century. The design underwent one major change in 1860 when Longacre added a laurel wreath to the reverse side to replace the original oak wreath and shield. The series ended in 1909 after the Mint introduced the Lincoln cent. The Indian Head Penny remains a staple of American numismatics because it represents the transition to the modern small cent format.

Start your collection with common dates like 1900 through 1908, which you can find in good condition for under $5. Focus on identifying the 1877 date, which has a mintage of only 852,500 and carries a high price tag. Check your coins for environmental damage or heavy cleaning, as these flaws ruin the numismatic value. Watch for altered dates on coins from 1880, as forgers often change the final digit to mimic the rarer 1888 issue. Always use a 5x or 10x jeweler's loupe to inspect the fine details of the feathers and the date for signs of tampering.

This series includes key dates — check individual coin pages for rarity details.