1873 Indian Head Cent Base

About This Coin

The 1873 Indian Head Cent Base is a United States cent from the Indian Head Cents 1859-1909 series — 15th of 51 years in the series. In 1873, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 35.0 million. This ranks 21st of 51 years by total mintage, 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 4 known die varieties for this date, including cud, pre-cud. Produced 4 years before the celebrated 1877 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $34 to $498 depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $32K in MS64 grade at Stack's Bowers. Designed by James Barton Longacre.