1875 Indian Head Penny Value Guide

The 1875 Indian Head Penny is a notable post-Civil War issue designed by James B. Longacre, featuring Lady Liberty in a feathered headdress. Because mintage numbers in the 1870s were significantly lower than the mass-produced runs of the early 1900s, this specific year is a prized find for numismatists building a complete series.

What Is 1875 Indian Head Penny Worth?

The typical price range for 1875 Indian Head Penny is $15 - $17 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The visibility of the four diamonds on the ribbon and the word 'LIBERTY' significantly increases the grade and price.
• Surface preservation, including the presence of original red luster versus brown oxidation, dictates the $15-$17 value range.
• The absence of environmental damage, such as pitting or heavy corrosion common to 19th-century copper, preserves collector interest.
• Strike quality, particularly the sharpness of the feathers in the headdress and the detail in the oak leaves on the reverse.

How to Identify 1875 Indian Head Penny?

• Verify the composition of 95% copper with a balance of tin and zinc.
• Look for the '1875' date clearly struck at the bottom of the obverse below Liberty's bust.
• Check for the 'LIBERTY' inscription on the headband of the headdress, which is often worn down on circulated examples.
• Confirm the reverse features a shield at the top of an oak wreath, which was the standard design for this era.

History of 1875 Indian Head Penny

Designed by James B. Longacre, the Indian Head cent was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909. Despite its name, the figure depicted is actually Lady Liberty wearing a feathered headdress. The 1875 issue is part of the 'post-Civil War' era of mintage where production numbers were lower than the later years of the series, making circulated examples from the 1870s more sought after by collectors than those from the 1900s.