Numismatic

1859 Indian Head Cent VG

---

The year 1859 marked a significant transition in American coinage with the introduction of the Indian Head Cent. This inaugural issue stands out as a distinct type within the series, possessing a specific design combination that would only be produced for this single year. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, these early cents were composed of an alloy containing 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, giving them a lighter appearance than the pure copper cents that preceded them. Designed by James B. Longacre, the obverse features a depiction of Liberty adorned in a Native American feathered headdress. Surrounding this central figure is the bold inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along with the date "1859" positioned at the bottom. This design brought a completely new aesthetic to the nation's pocket change. The reverse of this 1859 issue is entirely unique to this first year of production. It displays the denomination "ONE CENT" nestled simply within a laurel wreath. In subsequent years, this reverse design was altered to feature an oak wreath and a small shield, making the clean laurel wreath of the 1859 edition a highly recognizable and fascinating single-year design variant for enthusiasts to study.