Numismatic

1859 Indian Head Cent AU

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The year 1859 marked a significant transition in American numismatics with the introduction of the Indian Head cent. This inaugural issue stands out from its successors due to a reverse design that was utilized for only a single year. While later versions of the series transitioned to a different wreath, this first-year coin displays a beautifully detailed laurel wreath enclosing the denomination. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the composition of this coin is a distinct alloy of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, giving it a lighter appearance than the pure copper cents that came before. The obverse features a depiction of Liberty wearing a feathered Native American headdress, with the word LIBERTY clearly inscribed upon the band. Surrounding this central figure is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the date 1859 positioned below. On the reverse, the words ONE CENT are framed entirely by the one-year-only laurel wreath. Designed by James B. Longacre, this specific combination of the feathered portrait and the simple laurel wreath makes the 1859 issue a highly prized specimen for those studying the evolution of United States small cents. This particular coin survives in an exceptional Almost Uncirculated state, preserving the fine details of the feathers and the delicate leaves of the wreath.