1865 Indian Head Cent - Plain 5

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1865

Denomination

Cent

Mint Mark

Strike Type

Regular Strike

Series

Indian Head Cents 1859-1909

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Mintage

35,429,286

Composition

95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc

Weight

3.11g

Diameter

19mm

Edge

Plain

Value Estimates

$21 - $207

Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.

Auction Record

$2,685 MS66BN 09-05-2021 eBay

Description

Part of the Indian Head Cents 1859-1909 series, the 1865 Indian Head Cent - Plain 5 is a cent from the Philadelphia Mint. The U.S. Mint produced 35.4 million examples, making this the lower-mintage of the two mint variants. The obverse features Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, often misidentified as a Native American — actually represents Liberty adorned with a chief's war bonnet and the reverse displays an oak wreath with a shield at the top, enclosing ONE CENT. Produced during the Civil War, when coin hoarding caused severe shortages and the Mint experimented with new compositions to keep coins in circulation. Coined at the Philadelphia facility, the nation's original mint that has operated continuously since its 1792 founding. Estimated market value ranges from $21 to $207 depending on grade and condition. Struck in 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams, 19 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #92082.

External References

🔗PCGS CoinFacts 🔗NGC Coin Explorer

Error Varieties(14)

RCD-1c-1865-01R Retained Cud

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