Numismatic

1873 Indian Head Cent Open 3 XF

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The 1873 Indian Head Cent is a fascinating artifact from nineteenth-century American coinage. Struck in a durable alloy of 95 percent copper, with the remaining 5 percent composed of tin and zinc, this circulated piece represents a classic era of United States currency. Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin features a distinct obverse depicting Liberty adorned in a traditional Native American feather headdress. The word LIBERTY is clearly inscribed across the band of her headpiece, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date 1873 at the bottom. On the reverse, the denomination ONE CENT is boldly displayed, nestled inside a decorative wreath. This particular variety is known for the Open 3 in the date, where the spacing within the numeral 3 is noticeably wider than other issues of the same year. Preserved in Extra Fine condition, this coin offers a clear look at the intricate details of Longacre's engraving, capturing a moment in time when copper cents were the workhorses of daily commerce.