Numismatic

1881 Indian Head Cent BU (Brown)

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The 1881 Indian Head Cent offers a fascinating glimpse into late nineteenth-century American coinage. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this particular piece survives in a Brilliant Uncirculated state, retaining its original details and displaying a distinct brown copper coloration. The metal composition of this one-cent coin consists of 95 percent copper, with the remaining 5 percent made of tin and zinc. Designed by James B. Longacre, the obverse of the coin features a stylized representation of Liberty. Rather than a traditional portrait, she is depicted wearing an American Indian feather headdress, with the word LIBERTY clearly inscribed across the band. The year 1881 is positioned at the bottom of the design, while the surrounding inscription reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The reverse of the coin is elegant in its simplicity. The denomination ONE CENT is boldly displayed in the center, framed by a decorative wreath. This classic combination of Liberty in her feather headdress and the wreath-bound denomination makes the 1881 cent a compelling subject for anyone interested in the artistry of early United States copper currency.