1859 Indian Head Cent MS-64 PCGS

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The year 1859 marked the debut of a legendary American numismatic design, the Indian Head Cent. This copper coin represents the very first year of the series, featuring a distinct look that would quickly evolve in the years that followed. Minted at the Philadelphia Mint without a mint mark, this particular specimen has survived the generations in exceptional condition, graded as Mint State 64. The obverse displays a stylized portrait of Liberty wearing a Native American feathered headdress, surrounded by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date 1859. The reverse of this inaugural year is unique, showcasing a simple laurel wreath that encircles the denomination ONE CENT. This specific wreath design was used only in 1859, making it a highly distinct and recognizable one-year type before the design was altered in 1860. With a total mintage of 36,400,000, many of these small cents entered heavy circulation as the nation stood on the brink of the Civil War. Finding an example preserved in such a high state of preservation offers a rare glimpse into the crisp details and original luster of mid-nineteenth-century American coinage.