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The Indian Head Cent holds a distinctive place in American numismatic history as one of the most familiar and widely collected coins produced by the United States Mint. Struck between 1859 and 1909, this modestly sized coin marked a meaningful shift in U.S. coinage, as its design moved beyond purely classical influences and embraced imagery that spoke to an evolving sense of national identity. This 1863 Indian Head Cent is a survivor of extensive hoarding during the American Civil War, making this rare US copper penny a great collectible. Right now, the 1863 Indian Head Cent in AU55 condition is available from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
This 1863 Indian Head Cent is in About Uncirculated 55 condition. Among the higher grades of AU specimens, this coin features extremely light or trace friction only on its higher points, with medium or near-full luster possible. The 1863 issue came during the height of the US Civil War, with US copper pennies nearly disappearing from circulation through a combination of hoarding and lower production.
The Indian Head Cent saw two distinct eras of production in the United States. The initial releases from 1859 to 1864 used a copper-nickel alloy with 88% copper and 12% nickel. However, production slowed to a trickle during the conflict as nickel was a vital metal to the war effort. After the Civil War, the US Mint not only downsized the copper penny from 4.67 grams to 3.11 grams, but it also increased the copper content and removed nickel entirely, turning to an alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc.
The obverse of the 1863 Indian Head Cent features a left-facing image of Liberty wearing a headdress styled after Native American designs. Created by Mint Engraver James B. Longacre, this obverse has been both praised and debated since its introduction. While the coin is widely known as the Indian Head design, the portrait does not depict a real Native American individual. Rather, it presents Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, combining traditional allegorical representation with visual elements influenced by Native American culture.
On the reverse of the 1863 Indian Head Cent, you’ll find the Type II design for the series. The Indian Head Cent underwent an important change during its production. Initially, from 1859 to 1860, the reverse featured a laurel wreath surrounding the denomination “ONE CENT,” but this was replaced in 1860 with an oak wreath with a small shield at the top. This Union Shield, added at the outbreak of the Civil War, served as a powerful symbol of national unity during a period of tremendous strife and division. The shield remained a feature of the reverse design throughout the remainder of the coin’s production, transforming what had been a purely decorative element into a statement of patriotic resolve.
If you have any questions about historic US copper coins, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.
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The Indian Head Cent holds a distinctive place in American numismatic history as one of the most familiar and widely collected coins produced by the United States Mint. Struck between 1859 and 1909, this modestly sized coin marked a meaningful shift in U.S. coinage, as its design moved beyond purely classical influences and embraced imagery that spoke to an evolving sense of national identity. This 1863 Indian Head Cent is a survivor of extensive hoarding during the American Civil War, making this rare US copper penny a great collectible. Right now, the 1863 Indian Head Cent in AU55 condition is available from JM Bullion.
Coin Highlights:
This 1863 Indian Head Cent is in About Uncirculated 55 condition. Among the higher grades of AU specimens, this coin features extremely light or trace friction only on its higher points, with medium or near-full luster possible. The 1863 issue came during the height of the US Civil War, with US copper pennies nearly disappearing from circulation through a combination of hoarding and lower production.
The Indian Head Cent saw two distinct eras of production in the United States. The initial releases from 1859 to 1864 used a copper-nickel alloy with 88% copper and 12% nickel. However, production slowed to a trickle during the conflict as nickel was a vital metal to the war effort. After the Civil War, the US Mint not only downsized the copper penny from 4.67 grams to 3.11 grams, but it also increased the copper content and removed nickel entirely, turning to an alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc.
The obverse of the 1863 Indian Head Cent features a left-facing image of Liberty wearing a headdress styled after Native American designs. Created by Mint Engraver James B. Longacre, this obverse has been both praised and debated since its introduction. While the coin is widely known as the Indian Head design, the portrait does not depict a real Native American individual. Rather, it presents Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, combining traditional allegorical representation with visual elements influenced by Native American culture.
On the reverse of the 1863 Indian Head Cent, you’ll find the Type II design for the series. The Indian Head Cent underwent an important change during its production. Initially, from 1859 to 1860, the reverse featured a laurel wreath surrounding the denomination “ONE CENT,” but this was replaced in 1860 with an oak wreath with a small shield at the top. This Union Shield, added at the outbreak of the Civil War, served as a powerful symbol of national unity during a period of tremendous strife and division. The shield remained a feature of the reverse design throughout the remainder of the coin’s production, transforming what had been a purely decorative element into a statement of patriotic resolve.
If you have any questions about historic US copper coins, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.
