Numismatic

1866 Indian Head Cent VG

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The 1866 Indian Head Cent offers a fascinating glimpse into the post-Civil War era of American coining. Struck in Philadelphia, this one-cent piece is composed of an alloy containing 95 percent copper, with the remaining 5 percent made of tin and zinc. This composition gives the coin a warm, classic bronze appearance that has aged over more than a century and a half. The obverse of the coin features a distinct depiction of Liberty. Rather than a traditional classical representation, she is shown wearing a native feather headdress, with the word LIBERTY inscribed upon the band. Encircling this central figure is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the year 1866 anchored at the bottom. On the reverse, the design shifts to a simple and elegant theme. The words ONE CENT are positioned directly in the center, framed by a delicate wreath. This particular coin has been preserved in Very Good condition, showing honest wear from its time in circulation while still retaining the essential details of its historic 19th-century design.