Coin specifications and design
Design identification
Obverse: Liberty facing left in a feathered headdress inscribed LIBERTY.
U.S. Mint coin reference
1864–1909: Indian Head Small Cent (Bronze Composition Type)
Classic copper-nickel and bronze small cent reference.
1864–1909: Indian Head Small Cent (Bronze Composition Type) history
1864–1909: Indian Head Small Cent (Bronze Composition Type) marks the transition from copper-nickel to bronze. The thinner 3.11-gram planchet used 95% copper with tin and zinc and continued through the end of the Indian Head series.
The 1864 issue includes design and alloy transitions, including the addition of Longacre’s initial on later dies. Date, mintmark on the final issues, wreath details, and original copper color guide attribution.