1862 Indian Head Cent

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1862

Denomination

Cent

Mint Mark

Strike Type

Regular Strike

Series

Indian Head Cents 1859-1909

Designer

James Barton Longacre

Mintage

28,075,000

Composition

88% Copper, 12% Nickel

Weight

4.7g

Diameter

19mm

Edge

Plain

Value Estimates

$15 - $330

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

$50,400 MS68 06-23-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

The 1862 Indian Head Cent is a cent from the Philadelphia Mint, belonging to the Indian Head Cents 1859-1909 series. The U.S. Mint produced 28.1 million examples, making this the higher-mintage of the two mint variants, representing 100% of production. 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. Philadelphia's mint — the nation's first — has produced coins without interruption since its founding in 1792. Estimated market value ranges from $15 to $330 depending on grade and condition. Struck in 88% copper, 12% nickel, weighing 4.7 grams, 19 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #2064.

External References

🔗PCGS CoinFacts 🔗NGC Coin Explorer

Error Varieties(24)

RCD-1c-1862-05R Retained Cud

Community Submissions

Capped Die