Numismatic

1864 Indian Head Cent Copper-Nickel VF

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The year 1864 was a time of significant transition for United States minor coinage, and this particular Indian Head cent captures a moment of change. Minted in Philadelphia, this coin is composed of a copper-nickel alloy, representing the heavier metal composition used during the early years of the design series before a late-year shift to bronze. On the obverse, the design features a representation of Liberty adorned in a traditional Native American headdress. The word LIBERTY is visible on the band, while the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date 1864 encircle the portrait. This depiction offers a unique nineteenth-century American perspective on national imagery. The reverse of the coin features a clean and classic layout. The denomination ONE CENT is boldly struck in the center, framed by a decorative wreath that runs along the inner border. Preserved in Very Fine condition, this coin showcases clear details in the feathers of the headdress and the leaves of the wreath, offering a tactile connection to the past.