Representative series imageIndian Head CentReference art may not show this exact date or mint.
Indian Head Cent
U.S. collector price guide

1871 Indian Head Cent

Denomination
Cent
Mint
P (Philadelphia)
Composition
bronze (95% copper)
Mintage
3,929,500
Guide value by grade$130–$2,800
Reliable9 priced grades

This page has imported grade-level guide data and is ready for normal collector comparison.

Circulated$130
Gem uncirculated$2,800
Updated 2026-06-09published-guideHow the guide works →
Grade Ladder
$130$362$1.0k$2.8kG-4VG-8F-12VF-20EF-40AU-50MS-60MS-63MS-65
Tab, hover, or tap a grade to see the price jump
Price by Grade
GradeQualityEst. Value
Good-4Good
$130
Very Good-8Very Good
$170
Fine-12Fine
$325
Very Fine-20Very Fine
$430
Extremely Fine-40Extremely Fine
$575
About Uncirculated-50About Uncirculated
$615
MS-60Mint State
$650
MS-63Choice Uncirculated
$940
MS-65Gem Uncirculated
$2,800

Estimates from published guides and recent sold data. Grade is everything. Verify before you buy.

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What to do next
Check the gradeValue changes by condition. Compare the grade ladder before using the headline estimate.
Watch melt valueFor silver or gold issues, melt value can become the practical floor.
Verify before buyingUse methodology, source confidence, and recent comps before making purchase decisions.
Common Questions

What is the 1871 Indian Head Cent worth?

Current guide estimates on this page range from $130 to $2,800 depending on grade.

Why does grade matter for the 1871 Indian Head Cent?

Coin value can change sharply by condition. Use the grade ladder and price-by-grade table before relying on any single headline estimate.

Does melt value affect the 1871 Indian Head Cent?

This page does not show a meaningful melt floor for this coin, but silver and gold issues can have metal value that affects lower-grade outcomes.

Survivor's LedgerNo. cs_us_cent_indian-head-cent_1871_p_none
155years survived since minting
Minted
1871
Denomination
Cent
Composition
bronze (95% copper)
Mintage
3,929,500

Indian Head Cent series: Despite the name, Longacre's portrait depicts Liberty wearing a Native American headdress - a Victorian artistic convention, not a portrait of an Indigenous person. The 1877 issue, with a mintage of just 852,500, is the major key date. Replaced by the Lincoln Cent for Lincoln's 1909 centennial. Designed by James B. Longacre. Struck 1859–1909.

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Guide record
Grade and metal context

Use the grade ladder, pricing confidence, and melt floor together before making a buying decision.

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