1868 Indian Head Cent — Bronze — Philadelphia Mint

1868 Indian Head Cent — Bronze — Philadelphia Mint

Own a fascinating piece of 19th-century American history with this 1868 Indian Head Cent, struck at the Philadelphia Mint during the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War.

The Indian Head Cent series was produced from 1859 through 1909 and remains one of the most recognizable and widely collected designs in United States numismatics. Designed by James B. Longacre, the series circulated through decades of major political, industrial, and economic change.

The 1868 Indian Head Cent was issued during the presidency of Andrew Johnson, at a time when the United States was rebuilding following the Civil War and undergoing significant political and social transformation.

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a Native American-style feathered headdress. The headband bears the inscription LIBERTY, while thirteen letters and stars are not part of this design; instead, the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the portrait, with the date 1868 beneath.

The reverse features the denomination ONE CENT enclosed within an oak wreath, with a small Union shield positioned at the top and a ribbon securing the wreath at the bottom.

The coin was struck in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, using the bronze composition introduced in 1864 to replace the heavier copper-nickel cents of the early Indian Head series.

With a standard weight of 3.11 grams and a diameter of 19 millimeters, the 1868 Indian Head Cent closely resembles the dimensions and composition of later bronze Indian Head Cents.

All 1868 Indian Head Cents were produced at the Philadelphia Mint and carry no mint mark.

With an original business-strike mintage of 10,266,500 coins, the 1868 issue was produced in considerably smaller quantities than many later Indian Head Cent dates.

The date remains desirable among collectors assembling complete Indian Head Cent sets, particularly when found with strong details, original surfaces, and attractive overall preservation.

Its Reconstruction-era origins add an important historical dimension, connecting this small copper coin to one of the most consequential periods in American history.

Whether collected as part of a complete Indian Head Cent date set, a 19th-century United States coin collection, or a broader collection of historic American currency, the 1868 Indian Head Cent offers an appealing combination of classic design, historical significance, and collector interest.

Product Details

• Denomination: One Cent ($0.01 USD)

• Year: 1868

• Mint: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)

• Series: Indian Head Cent (1859–1909)

• Type: Bronze Indian Head Cent, Oak Wreath with Shield

• Original Mintage: 10,266,500 business strikes

• Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc

• Standard Weight: 3.11 grams

• Diameter: 19 mm

• Designer: James B. Longacre

• Obverse: Left-facing Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

• Reverse: ONE CENT within an oak wreath, with a Union shield above

• Mint Mark Location: None — Philadelphia issue

• Edge: Plain

• Condition: See product photographs for the exact coin offered

• Quantity: One individual coin

Please Note: This listing is for one specific 1868 Indian Head Cent. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.