Numismatic

1876 Indian Head Cent VF

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The 1876 Indian Head Cent offers a fascinating window into late nineteenth-century American coinage. Struck in Philadelphia during the nation's centennial year, this copper piece is composed of 95 percent copper, with the remaining 5 percent consisting of tin and zinc. It represents a classic era of United States minor coinage, surviving today in a well-preserved Very Fine state of preservation. On the obverse, the design features a profile of Liberty adorned with a Native American feathered headdress. The word LIBERTY is clearly inscribed across the band of the headdress, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date 1876 positioned at the bottom. Designed by James B. Longacre, this imagery remains one of the most recognizable icons in American numismatic history. The reverse of the coin displays the denomination ONE CENT, which is nestled securely within a stylized wreath. This simple yet elegant wreath design frames the central inscription, completing a coin that captures the artistic sensibilities of its era.