Indian Head Cent Official Thread

sedulous

An Indian Head Cent forum has been needed for a good while. Post and discuss Indian Head Cents including RD, RB, BN, Varieties found, grading, and the normal particulars of surface quality, strike, and overall pleasantness or attractiveness. Post some of your nice Indian Head Cents!

sedulous

1894 Indian Head Cent in Raw state estimated Superb Gem

sedulous

1866 Indian Head Cent Mint State Raw

sedulous

1874 Indian Head Cent RB in Raw state

sedulous

1909-S Indian Head Cent in PCGS MS64 CAC RB

Pictures just prior to CAC submission:

sedulous

1897 Indian Head Cent RB in Raw state

shortnock

Fine specimens! Really fine photos.

DeplorableDan

I don't have any, but I know one member who has a fine collection of IHC's

@winesteven

winesteven

Here's a hotlink to my IHC Registry Set. If you click on a photo, you can see three photos for each coin, along with a True View if available.

Steve
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-cents/indian-cents-major-sets/indian-cents-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1859-1909/publishedset/266583

sedulous

@winesteven What an amazing set of coins! I agree with the comment on the 1869, wow. Thanks for sharing!

winesteven

@sedulous said:
@winesteven What an amazing set of coins! I agree with the comment on the 1869, wow. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for your kind words. I've had more fun putting this set together than anything else I've done over the decades in our wonderful hobby.

I'll be putting on an Educational Exhibit at FUN in Orlando in two weeks. While my "Unique" Registry set will be spread throughout the five cases, the emphasis is on education. My goal is to share interesting tidbits about Indian Head Cents, so that collectors at any level can hopefully learn something interesting!

I'll try hanging out around the exhibit (other than when the judges are in the area from Thursday 2:00 pm - Friday late morning). Please stop by and introduce yourselves. I'd love to meet you! For those that do attend, make sure to look at ALL of the exhibits, and vote for the exhibit you like best for "The Peoples Choice Award".

Steve

vulcanize

@DeplorableDan said:
I don't have any, but I know one member who has a fine collection of IHC's

@winesteven

Absolutely.
He has a lovely collection and I was drooling at his 1877.

My slabbed ones are very few and love the smallest postage stamp of USA paying tribute to the 1877 IHP, perhaps the only US stamp dedicated to a particular coin.
As a stamp collecter, was always fascinated by the coin and story behind it and was really thrilled when acquiring a very cheap one some time ago..
Below pictures are of the tiny postal stamp next to my lowball 1877 with environmental damage.

Some details about the stamp for the philately enthusiasts amongst us.

https://www.mysticstamp.com/Products/United-States/1734/#readMore

Issue Date: January 11, 1978
City: Kansas City, MO
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Engraved
Perforations: 11
Color: Brown and blue green
 
To lower production costs and increase output, the U.S. Postal Service experimented with this "midget" stamp. The smaller image area, which was about 1/3 smaller than usual, provided for 150 stamps per pane instead of the usual 100. This unique issue pictures the 1877 Indian Head Penny, a prized collector coin.
 
America’s Smallest Postage Stamp 

On January 11, 1978, the USPS issued its smallest postage stamp, featuring the famed Indian Head Penny.

In the late 1970s, the USPS began looking into new ways to lower their production costs and increase their output. Eventually, they decided one possible way to achieve both of these goals was to make stamps smaller.

So in 1978, the USPS decided to test the idea. They chose as the design for the stamp the 1877 Indian Head Penny. The penny itself measured .75 inches, while the new “midget” stamp would be .54 x .66 inches. This smaller size meant a pane of stamps could hold 150 stamps, rather than the standard 100.

The experimental stamp was issued on January 11, 1978, in Kansas City, Missouri. The stamp was only available for use in five cities: Hartford, Connecticut; Richmond, Virginia; Portland, Oregon; Memphis, Tennessee; and Kansas City, Missouri. The USPS wanted to test the smaller stamp’s popularity on a smaller scale before rolling out its usage nationwide.

In the end, postal customers in these test cities were unimpressed with the stamp’s smaller size. They said it was too small to handle and could easily be lost.

Not to take away the focus of thread, here is an archive picture of one of my IHP in the raw

and a copper round that was a gift.

Walkerguy21D

My last really nice IHC. It went to a forum member last year, and later slabbed 65 R/B.
We both thought 64 Red was more appropriate, but he was happy with the result.

m4832

Beautiful coins. I love Indian Heads and they are what I collect. I have quite a few of them but none are as nice as the ones pictured on here so far.

Dave99B

I worked on an IHC collection for about seven years. All PCGS XF examples. It was about 60% complete when I sold it, and switched gears over to Barber coinage. I miss that set. It's a great series...hoping to go back again some day. Beautiful, interesting coins.

Dave

Namvet69

A feast for my eyes. The feathers, the leaves, oh my! Peace Roy

hfjacinto

Since I keep asking @winesteven to adopt me, and he keeps on saying no, I had to do my own set. Still missing 9 and its only a feast if you keep your eyes closed.

robec

I only have a handful.

Chevyrose

I’ve been needing an 1877 au58 for a year now

justcollecting

gumby1234

gumby1234

@vulcanize There was this in 1975

Ronyahski

CoinHoarder

Not much into Indian cents. Here's the best one that I have.

sedulous

Here are a couple more:

1905 Indian Head Cent Proof in Raw form

1901 Indian Head Cent BN and has an Unc look to it

robec

sedulous

1881 Indian Head Cent Proof but with an odd color. It is Cleaned-Details unfortunately

sedulous

How about a Civil War-dated copper-nickel piece that is still in the wild. 1863 Indian Head Cent

sedulous

@Walkerguy21D said:
My last really nice IHC. It went to a forum member last year, and later slabbed 65 R/B.
We both thought 64 Red was more appropriate, but he was happy with the result.

@Walkerguy21D
What's going on in the dentils below the date near the rim of the coin's obverse?

Clackamas1

66RD CAC My pride and joy.
I also have a 66RB and a 65RD same date (Rick Snow Photograde) but no pics. These are part of my #1 1868 mint set.

vulcanize

@gumby1234 said:
@vulcanize There was this in 1975

Thanks. I should have said dedicated to a particular coin because this stamp has the Banking & commerce theme.

sedulous

@Clackamas1 said:

66RD CAC My pride and joy.
I also have a 66RB and a 65RD same date (Rick Snow Photograde) but no pics. These are part of my #1 1868 mint set.

Beautiful cent! Nicely done! I can see why you are so proud!

Tomthemailcarrier

Picked this one up @Denver ANA from Rick Snow. CAC added too.

sedulous

Sweet! @Tomthemailcarrier

clarke442

WiscKau

sedulous

@clarke442 Really nice chocolaty-brown for the date and grade!

@WiscKau I like the color on your '02 there. In hand, does it present itself in purples and blues?

ricko

There are some incredible IHC's in this thread. I have none to compare. Cheers, RickO

asheland

@Tomthemailcarrier said:



Picked this one up @Denver ANA from Rick Snow. CAC added too.

Sweet! That's my target grade for the 1877. Well done!

asheland

A series that I love, and will most likely attempt the set. I currently only have three:

asheland

This was dumb luck, I bought it because I really, really liked the coin and date, it turned out being the Snow-1 DDO!

asheland

And my goal is a 63BN on the 1877, but I couldn’t resist this one a few months ago, even if I end up with a MS63 at some point, I’ll likely keep this one as well, it’s just perfect for the grade!

asheland

That’s it for now, hopefully I’ll revisit this thread with new pick ups! Great thread, by the way.

johnny9434

@sedulous said:
1909-S Indian Head Cent in PCGS MS64 CAC RB

Pictures just prior to CAC submission:

i like the obverse and the wood grain look, fwiw. merry christmas to all as well

Eldorado9

How about a few proofs:

robec

oih82w8

As a Type Collector, I only need three;

sedulous

1892 Indian Head Cent (Raw)

sedulous

1893 Indian Head Cent (Raw)

winesteven

@Tomthemailcarrier posted his lovely 1877 above. What he didn’t tell you (but I will), is that he was kind enough to sell me his prior one (in a higher grade than his current one), shown here, for my “Unique” IHC set. Tom, thanks again so VERY much!

Steve

sedulous

1872 Tougher Date Lowball