This listing is for one 1881 Indian head penny, as pictured. Choose by grade. All of our coins and other items are authentic; we do not sell any reproductions.
The Indian Head cent, also known as an Indian Head penny, was a one-cent coin ($0.01) produced by the United States Bureau of the Mint from 1859 to 1909. It was designed by James Barton Longacre, the Chief Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint.
The centenary of the birth of assassinated president Abraham Lincoln would occur in February 1909, and large numbers of privately manufactured souvenirs were already being issued. Many citizens had written to the Treasury Department, proposing a Lincoln coin.
There were two major types of 1886 Indian Head Cent (Penny) varieties. The one shown above is the Type 2 (Variety II) penny. The difference between the type 1 vs type 2 1886 Indian head cent is a slight style change particularly on the obverse of the coin. The type 1 style was the earlier one which is best identified by noticing the last "A" in "AMERICA" on the obverse of the coin. The leading "A" is closer to the date and lines up with the Indian head's lock of hair. The type 2 version was the newer style where the "A" appears further away from the date in the counter-clockwise direction.
For a collector, this is an excellent addition for US cents or coins in general.
1881 Indian Head Penny - Choose by Grade / Condition - Great Date - Great Detail - 1881 Indian Cent