1879 Indian Head Cent — Philadelphia Mint
1879 Indian Head Cent — Philadelphia Mint
Own a classic piece of 19th-century American numismatic history with this 1879 Indian Head Cent, struck at the Philadelphia Mint during an important period of industrial expansion and economic growth in the United States.
Introduced in 1859, the Indian Head Cent became one of the most recognizable denominations in American coinage. Designed by James B. Longacre, the series remained in production through 1909 and is widely collected for its distinctive design, historical significance, and numerous collectible dates.
The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a Native American feathered headdress inscribed LIBERTY. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the portrait, with the date 1879 positioned beneath Liberty.
The reverse displays the denomination ONE CENT enclosed within an oak wreath, with a small shield positioned at the top and a ribbon binding the wreath at the bottom.
The 1879 Indian Head Cent was struck in bronze, following the transition away from the heavier copper-nickel composition used during the series' earliest years. Its classic design and connection to late 19th-century American commerce make it a desirable addition to collections of historic United States coinage.
With an original mintage of just over 16 million coins, the 1879 issue remains popular among collectors assembling complete date sets of Indian Head Cents.
Product Details
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Denomination: One Cent ($0.01 USD)
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Year: 1879
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Mint: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)
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Series: Indian Head Cent (1859–1909)
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Original Mintage: 16,228,000 business strikes
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Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
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Weight: 3.11 grams
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Diameter: 19.0 mm
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Designer: James B. Longacre
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Obverse: Lady Liberty wearing a feathered headdress inscribed LIBERTY
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Reverse: ONE CENT denomination enclosed within an oak wreath and shield
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Edge: Plain
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Condition: See product photographs for the exact coin offered
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Quantity: One individual coin
Please Note: This listing is for one specific 1879 Indian Head Cent. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.