Indian Head Penny (1859-1909)

Founded shortly after the establish of the United States itself, the US Mint has retentive since been producing the neologism of both the US arsenic well as that of other countries besides. In the early days, the US Mint was founded in and operated out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but due to the expansive nature of the early United States, extra facilities needed to be constructed. With each new facility came a new identify mintmark that was added to each coin to show where they were made .
Throughout its celebrated history, the US Mint has created many different types of coins at different points in time. One of the beginning coin-types ever produced, however, is known as the single cent penny. Pennies were and still are fabulously useful for Americans on a day to day footing and are one of the longest-lasting types of coins produced by the batch .
Of all the pennies ever produced, the amerind Head style is one of the most popular, particularly for collectors. These coins were minted just prior to the Civil War and continued being produced until soon after the go of the twentieth century. The follow few sections will discuss, in-depth, more about these coins american samoa well as why they are so popular amongst collectors present .

Indian Head Penny History

The origins of the indian Head Penny can be traced back to the days when the Large-Cent coin was the only one in circulation. These coins were first minted in 1793, but faced immediate problems seeing as the uracil government would not allow any metals other than silver medal and aureate to be used as legal bid. Because of this, the Large-Cents were not able to be used to pay taxes or any early government payment.

then, by the dawn of the 1850s, fluctuations in the price of copper forced the US Mint not lone to reduce the size of their pennies ( Large-Cents were about the same size as a modern Half-Dollar ) but to besides look for compositions of metal that were not entirely pure copper. ascribable to this motivation, the US Mint came up with the Flying Eagle Penny, which was produced soon from 1856-1858. This coin differed from traditional pennies in that it was comprised of less than 90 % copper. unfortunately, these coins cursorily experienced design problems and needed to be replaced. Their successor was the indian Head Penny, which made its first base appearance on the grocery store in 1859 .

Indian Head Penny Design

The design of the indian Head Penny was the inspiration of James Longacre, the acting engraver of the US Mint. In a letter to the conductor of the US Mint James Snowden, Longacre made his case for his newly incepted design by saying :
“ From the bull shores of Lake Superior, to the argent mountains of Potosi from the Ojibwa to the Aramanian, the feathery tiara is as feature of the primitive races of our hemisphere, as the pillbox is of the Asiatic. Nor is there anything in its cosmetic character, abhorrent to the association of Liberty … It is more allow than the phrygian cap, the emblem quite of the emancipated slave, than of the mugwump freeman, of those who are able to say “ we were never in bondage to any man ”. I regard then this emblem of America as a proper and well specify parcel of our national inheritance ; and having now the opportunity of consecrating it as a memorial of Liberty, ‘ our Liberty ’, American Liberty ; why not use it ? One more elegant can barely be devised. We have alone to determine that it shall be appropriate, and all the world outside of us can not wrest it from us. ”
The design you will find on the obverse side of the indian Head Penny is said to depict Lady Liberty wearing a traditional native american headdress. other legends hold that the double is actually James Longacre ’ s daughter, Sarah. The caption claims that the young Ms. Longacre was at the Mint the lapp day as native american visitors, and when wearing one of their headdresses, James Longacres made a agile sketch. unfortunately, this history is probable nothing more than a fabrication seeing as Sarah Longacre was 30 years of old age at the fourth dimension the design was created—not 12 .
The design of the obverse side of the coin was and still is the center of some controversy, because what is truly depicted is a caucasian woman wearing the headdress of native Americans. Though this is not the first time a US mint sported the visualize of a non-Native american donning a Native headdress, it is something that adds a batch of intrigue to the mint.

The reverse side of the indian Head Penny is quite basic, and features a wreath surrounding the “ one cent ” face measure. For the first two years of production, you will find this basic design on the overrule side, but by 1860 the coin ’ s reverse was updated. Though the wreath still partially encircled the “ one cent ” confront value, a presidential seal was added to the circus tent of the coin, and the wreath itself became a bite more intricate in its design .

Indian Head Penny Values

For collectors, the indian Head Penny is indeed popular not only because of the years in which it was minted, but besides because of the diachronic significance this coin holds. Seeing as the first years of the indian Head ’ sulfur production fell fair anterior to the outbreak of the Civil War, collectors see these pieces as a separate of american history. For this reason, you will find that many of the coins produced through the first base ten years of the indian Head ’ s being deal present for a much higher price than other editions .
Another expression of these coins that makes them sol popular is their historic period. It is very rare that coins are able to survive more than 100 years, and with many surviving in excellent condition, it is easy to see why collectors go pass over heels for these pieces .
When it comes down to it, the popularity of indian Heads varies from let go of to release. While some editions are highly difficult to find, others exist in abundance. Almost always, you will find that the scarcest indian Heads are those produced during the early years. These are the coins that are not lone the most try after, they are besides the most expensive.

All Market Updates are provided as a third base party psychoanalysis and do not necessarily reflect the explicit views of JM Bullion Inc. and should not be construed as fiscal advice .

source : https://leowiki.com
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