Numismatic

1861 Indian Head Cent Good

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Struck during a pivotal moment in American history, the 1861 Indian Head Cent represents a fascinating chapter in United States coinage. This particular issue is composed of an unusual alloy of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel, which gives these early cents a distinctively lighter appearance compared to the pure copper coins that followed later in the decade. The obverse of the coin features a stylized representation of Liberty wearing an Native American feathered headdress, surrounded by the bold inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the year 1861. Designed by James B. Longacre, this imagery became one of the most recognizable motifs in American numismatics. On the reverse, a simple yet elegant wreath frames the face value of the coin, which is spelled out clearly as "ONE CENT". Minted in Philadelphia, this coin survived the turbulent years of the Civil War to remain a compelling artifact of nineteenth-century American design.