Numismatic

1889 Indian Head Cent XF Details

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The 1889 Indian Head Cent is a striking example of late nineteenth-century American coinage. Struck in Philadelphia, this one-cent piece is composed of an alloy containing 95 percent copper, with the remaining 5 percent made of tin and zinc. Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin represents a fascinating era of United States currency, combining simple utility with artistic detail. The obverse of the coin features a depiction of Liberty adorned in a traditional Native American feathered headdress, with the word LIBERTY clearly inscribed across the band. Surrounding this central figure are the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the year of mintage, 1889, located at the bottom of the design. On the reverse, the coin displays the denomination ONE CENT, which is nestled inside a decorative wreath. This particular specimen is noted to be in Extra Fine condition, though it displays evidence of past cleaning, which has altered its surface details over the years while preserving its historical design elements.