Indian Head cent

Indian Head cent is a United States coin that was produced from 1859 to 1909, featuring an obverse design by James Barton Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint at the time, who also designed the Flying Eagle cent and the Shield nickel. The coin was minted during the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, and Theodore Roosevelt. The Indian Head cent was a significant coin in the history of American numismatics, with notable collectors like Henry Clay and William H. Seward taking an interest in the coin.

● Introduction

The Indian Head cent was introduced in 1859, replacing the Flying Eagle cent, which had been in production for only two years, from 1857 to 1858, during the administration of James Buchanan. The new design was intended to be more durable and to feature a more iconic American image, such as the Native American headdress, which was also depicted in the works of Frederic Remington and George Catlin. The coin's design was influenced by the Bald Eagle, a symbol of the United States of America, and was also inspired by the Greek goddess of liberty, which was a common motif in American art and American literature, as seen in the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The Indian Head cent was produced at the Philadelphia Mint, which was established in 1792, during the presidency of George Washington, and was also the site of production for other notable coins, such as the Liberty Head nickel and the Morgan dollar.

● Design

The Indian Head cent features an obverse design with a representation of a Native American woman wearing a feathered headdress, which was also depicted in the art of Charles Bird King and George de Forest Brush. The reverse design features a shield with a bundle of arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing peace and strength, similar to the Great Seal of the United States, which was designed by Charles Thomson and William Barton. The coin's design was also influenced by the Classical antiquity and the Renaissance art of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, which was popular during the Victorian era. The Indian Head cent was designed by James Barton Longacre, who was also the designer of the Two-cent piece and the Three-cent nickel, and was a contemporary of other notable designers, such as Christian Gobrecht and George T. Morgan.

● Mintage

The Indian Head cent was produced from 1859 to 1909, with a total mintage of over 1.5 billion coins, making it one of the most widely produced coins in United States history, along with the Lincoln cent and the Buffalo nickel. The coin was minted during a time of significant economic growth and industrialization in the United States, which was driven by the Industrial Revolution and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Indian Head cent was also produced during the American Civil War, which was fought between the Union and the Confederate States of America, and was a significant event in the history of the United States, as depicted in the works of Walt Whitman and Mark Twain. The coin's mintage was also influenced by the Coinage Act of 1873, which was signed into law by Ulysses S. Grant, and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, which was signed into law by Grover Cleveland.

● Collecting

The Indian Head cent is a popular coin among collectors, particularly those who specialize in American numismatics, such as the American Numismatic Society and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. The coin is highly sought after by collectors due to its historical significance and its iconic design, which has been featured in various forms of American art and American literature, such as the works of Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Indian Head cent is also a popular coin among error coin collectors, who seek out coins with unique errors or variations, such as the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent and the 1943 Copper cent. Notable collectors of the Indian Head cent include Q. David Bowers and John J. Pittman, who have written extensively on the subject of American numismatics and have been recognized by organizations such as the American Numismatic Association.

● Legacy

The Indian Head cent has had a lasting impact on American numismatics and has been featured in various forms of American art and American literature, such as the works of Norman Rockwell and Grant Wood. The coin's design has been influential in the development of subsequent coin designs, such as the Lincoln cent and the Buffalo nickel, which were designed by Victor David Brenner and James Earle Fraser, respectively. The Indian Head cent has also been recognized by organizations such as the American Numismatic Association and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, which have certified and graded the coin. The coin's legacy continues to be celebrated by collectors and numismatists, who recognize its significance in the history of American coinage, along with other notable coins, such as the Walking Liberty half dollar and the Saint-Gaudens double eagle.

Category:United States coins