Numismatic

1888 Indian Head Cent Fine

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The 1888 Indian Head Cent represents a classic era of United States minor coinage. Struck in a durable alloy composed of 95 percent copper alongside a 5 percent mixture of tin and zinc, this one-cent piece displays the wear and character of a coin graded in Fine condition. These copper cents circulated widely, serving as a staple of daily commerce in late nineteenth-century America. On the obverse, the design features Liberty adorned in a feathered Native American headdress, a creative depiction conceived by James B. Longacre. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arches around the portrait, with the date 1888 clearly visible below the bust. The reverse of the coin presents a simple and elegant layout. The denomination ONE CENT is framed by a decorative wreath. This particular example was produced at the Philadelphia Mint, which did not utilize a mint mark during this era of production.