Indian Head (1859-1864)

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 the coin, Liberty is depicted as a Native American wearing a feather head dress with the word "LIBERTY" on it. The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", and the date also appear on the front of the Indian Head Cent. For the first year, the reverse had the words "ONE CENT" inside a laurel wreath. In 1860 this was changed to an oak wreath with a small shield.

The Indian Head Pennies were made up of 88% copper and 12% nickel from 1859 to 1864. Then in 1864 they began making them of bronze which is 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. The weight of the coins was also reduced.

In 1908 the Indian Head Penny was produced at the San Francisco Mint. This was the first time that one cent coins were minted anywhere but the Philadelphia Mint. The Indian Pennies produced at the San Francisco mint have the "S" mint mark. The coins minted in Philadelphia, however, do not have any identifying mint marks.