(As of Sept. 20, 2009)
This Table of Coin Values is for Indian Head Cents. Indian Head Pennies depict Lady Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, which looks similar to an American Indian war bonnet, hence the popular name "Indian Head Penny." These were the second of the so-called U.S. "small cents," with the short-lived Flying Eagle Cent being its predecessor. All Indian Head Cents are worth at least a dollar if you can read the date and still see the basic devices (G-4 grade), but many are worth considerably more, even in this modest grade. The prices below are for the average grade, about VG-8; they have a clear date and at least 2 letters of the word LIBERTY appear on the band of the headdress. Also, the coin shouldn't have any major defects, such as being holed, bent, corroded, etc.
The prices in this table are approximately what a dealer will give you for Very Good (VG-8) grade coins of the type typically found in old jars, cigar boxes, dealer "unsorted lots," pick bins, etc. The mint mark, if the coin has one, is below the wreath on the reverse (1908-09 only).
Indian Head Penny Values (in U.S. Dollars)
Notes:
*The 1864 metal varieties can be distinguished by weight. The 88% copper penny weighs 4.67 grams; the 95% copper weighs 3.1 grams. If the penny has an "L", it appears sideways on the back of the neck of Liberty under the bottom feather. (The "L" always appears after 1864 on Indian Head Cents.)
Sources include the "Blue Book Handbook of U.S. Coins," PCGS Online Coin Prices Guide, Heritage Galleries Web Site, and my own personal knowledge of Indian Head Cent prices. 1861 Indian Head Cent photo courtesy of Harlan J. Berk, Ltd.
If you have a lot of coins to look up values for, and want to know the realistic prices that dealers will pay you, I recommend the Blue Book of U.S. Coin Values, which is the wholesale price guide that dealers use. It costs about $10 and is well-worth the small investment. Compare prices for the 2008 Blue Book.
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