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 this coin is the head of a Native American wearing a feather head dress with the word "LIBERTY" on it. It was designed by James Barton Longacre, the Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint.
The production of the Indian Head cent at the San Francisco Mint in November 1908 marked the first time this denomination of coins was minted outside of Philadelphia. One-cent coin production did not begin at the Denver Mint until 1911.
The coins that were struck between 1859 and 1864 were composed of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, as required by law. Research in 1863 indicated that bronze was a better alloy for minor coins, and so the copper-nickel alloy was discontinued. Total production of the Indian Head cent was 1,849,648,000 pieces.
| Indian Head Cent Statistics |
| Issue Dates | 1859-1909 |
| Designer | James B. Longacre |
| Diameter | 1859-1864: 19.30 mm/0.76 inch |
| Diameter | 1864-1909: 19.05 mm/0.75 inch |
| Weight | 1859-1864: 4.67 grams/0.15 ounce |
| Weight | 1864-1909: 3.11 grams/0.10 ounce |
| Composition | 1859-1864: 88% copper, 12% nickel |
| Composition | 1864-1909: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint mark | 1908-1909, reverse under wreath |
| Mintage | N/A |
