1895 Indian Head Penny Value Guide

The 1895 Indian Head Penny is a quintessential piece of late 19th-century American numismatics, designed by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. It is highly collectible for its iconic 'Liberty in a headdress' motif and its role as the predecessor to the long-running Lincoln cent.

What Is 1895 Indian Head Penny Worth?

The typical price range for 1895 Indian Head Penny is $2 - $5 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Overall grade and wear, with uncirculated or 'Red' designated coins fetching significantly more than the $2 base value.
• The presence of original mint luster, which is rare for copper coins of this era.
• Surface preservation, specifically looking for the absence of corrosion, scratches, or dark spotting.
• Strike quality, particularly the sharpness of the four diamonds in the ribbon on the obverse.

How to Identify 1895 Indian Head Penny?

• Verify the obverse features Lady Liberty wearing a Native American feathered headdress with 'LIBERTY' inscribed on the band.
• Check the reverse for the standard oak wreath and shield design surrounding the 'ONE CENT' denomination.
• Confirm the composition is the standard bronze alloy used after 1864, despite the series' earlier copper-nickel origins.
• Look for the crispness of the feathers in the headdress to distinguish between worn and high-grade specimens.

History of 1895 Indian Head Penny

The Indian Head cent, also known as an Indian Head penny, was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909. It was designed by James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint. The coin's obverse depicts Liberty wearing a Native American headdress, a design choice that has been both celebrated for its artistic merit and critiqued for its cultural representation. This coin replaced the Flying Eagle cent and was itself replaced by the Lincoln cent in 1909. Indian Head pennies are highly collectible due to their historical significance and unique design, with specific years and mint marks commanding higher values.