Numismatic

1869 Indian Head Cent VG

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The 1869 Indian Head Cent represents a classic era of United States minor coinage. Struck in Philadelphia, this one-cent piece is composed of an alloy containing 95 percent copper, with the remaining five percent made of tin and zinc. It survives today in Very Good condition, showing the honest wear of a coin that actively circulated through the hands of post-Civil War Americans. On the obverse, the design features a depiction of Liberty adorned in a traditional Native American feathered headdress, with the date 1869 positioned below the portrait. The reverse side keeps the focus on the coin's utility, displaying the bold denomination inscription ONE CENT nestled within a simple, stylized wreath. Created by designer James B. Longacre, this design remains one of the most recognizable and beloved icons of nineteenth-century American currency.