1871 Indian Head Cent Base

About This Coin

The 1871 Indian Head Cent Base is a United States cent from the Indian Head Cents 1859-1909 series — 13th of 51 years in the series. In 1871, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 3.9 million. This represents the second-lowest annual mintage in the series, below the series median of 39.0 million. 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. Minted during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, as the nation healed from civil war and debated the role of silver and gold in the monetary system. Struck in 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams, 19 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Collectors have identified one known die variety for this date (retained cud). Produced 6 years before the celebrated 1877 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $112 to $1.1K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $5.0K in PR66BN grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Barton Longacre.