How to Grade Indian Head Penny?

Coin grading is a skill that takes years of experience for professional appraisers to accurately assess the quality and value of each piece beyond any doubt. While you can refer to guides and learn how to grade Indian Head pennies, this is not enough for high-end specimens.

Grading Standards

You can use general ANA grading standards for every coin you evaluate. However, the exact criteria for specific coins can differ greatly due to factors like design details, relief height, and the natural wear pattern of each piece.

For accurate grading, refer to the section that applies to your specific coin and follow the guidelines precisely. Carefully examine all visible details, either with the naked eye or using a magnifying glass. Keep in mind that an approximate assessment is not acceptable simply because some elements resemble the description—each detail must be thoroughly verified.

Understanding Grades for Indian Head Penny

Indian Head pennies can be classified into two types based on their composition and weight. The earliest versions, minted between 1859 and 1864, were heavier and contained less copper, as their alloy included nickel. In contrast, coins produced from 1864 to 1909 no longer contained this metal.

In 1858, the U.S. Mint struck special pattern coins, while cents minted afterward consisted of both regular issues and proof specimens. The early versions had a slight silver-like sheen due to the presence of nickel in the alloy.

One advantage of nickel was that it made the coins more durable. However, it also made striking the design more challenging, preventing sharp details from forming. Additionally, this alloy required higher striking pressure, which caused dies to wear out and break more quickly.

The later copper-based alloy was softer, making the minting process smoother and allowing the coins to develop a more visually appealing toning over time. These differences in composition and production should be taken into account when grading Indian Head cents.

Indian Head penny
Face valueOne cent ($0.01)
CompoundCupronickel alloy with 88% copper (1859 to 1864)
Cupronickel alloy with 95% copper (1864 to 1909)
Coin weight0.16 ounces (4.67 g) – from 1859 to 1864
0.11 ounces (3.11 g) – from 1864 to 1909
Coin diameter0.75 inches (19.05 mm)
Coin thickness0.09 inches (2.30 mm)

This is especially important for coins in mint state, as their evaluation also takes color into account. The price of these coins heavily depends on their toning, with red-toned coins being the most valuable.

Graded mint state coins are officially marked in the following way:

Year – Mint mark – Mint state – Color

For example:

  • The 1908 S MS 68 RD Indian Head penny – for red-toned coins
  • The 1908 S MS 68 RB Indian Head penny – for red-brown coins
  • The 1908 S MS 68 BN Indian Head penny – for brown coins

Finally, make sure to focus on the highest design points when grading your coin, as these areas are the first to show signs of wear.

How to Grade Indian Head Penny?

Indian pennies are a classic part of U.S. coinage and are highly favored by collectors. While most of them are reasonably priced, some collectors seek out rarer specimens. There are three key rarities to watch for, which include:

  • 1877 red cents
  • 1908 S red cents
  • 1909 S red cents

Although these coins are not extremely rare in general, certain red-toned pieces in higher grades are much harder to find. In some cases, a combination of unusual factors can drive their prices higher than expected.

1. About Good (AG)

Indian Head Penny About Good (AG)

Indian Head pennies in this grade are typically in very poor condition and are generally not of interest to collectors. Numismatists tend to avoid these coins because their surfaces have been heavily worn down and often damaged due to prolonged circulation.

Obverse

The inscriptions are barely readable, and the details of Liberty’s head are so worn that they are no longer distinguishable. The lettering is smooth and sometimes even blends into the rim, but the date is still easily recognizable.

Reverse

The design is so worn that the bow is indistinguishable from the wreath. The leaves of the wreath are merged into a flattened mass. While the denomination “ONE CENT” is still legible, it appears very flat.

2. Good (G, G4, G6)

Indian Head Penny Good (G, G4, G6)

While collectors typically avoid coins in this grade, it’s a different story for certain Indian Head pennies. Due to their age and the scarcity of available examples, these coins can still be sought after, even in this condition.

Specimens minted before the Civil War or those from 1877 can still command a high price, despite having a worn-out design.

Obverse

The portrait is fully outlined, but it lacks fine details. For example, the hair and feathers are fully blended. All inscriptions and the date remain intact and are clearly separated from the edge of the coin, which is mostly complete.

Reverse

The wreath is so worn down that the individual leaves are indistinguishable. The bow and arrows have merged with the bottom of the wreath, forming one continuous outline. Most of the horizontal lines on the shield are missing.

3. Very Good (VG, VG8, VG10)

Indian Head Penny Very Good (VG, VG8, VG10)

Indian Head pennies in this grade show significant wear, but the design is still discernible, with important elements remaining visible. However, the details are flat, and finer features are no longer apparent.

Obverse

The word “LIBERTY” on the headband is barely visible, but at least three letters can still be recognized. Coins with a combination of two fully visible letters and two partial letters also fall into this grade. Even though the legends and date are worn, they are still identifiable.

Reverse

Some details of the wreath are visible, but the tops of the leaves are worn smooth. The outline of the bow is faint, and the ribbons are flat but still distinguishable.

4. Fine (F, F12, F15)

Indian Head Penny Fine (F, F12, F15)

Coins in this grade exhibit moderate wear across the entire surface, but the legends and date remain clear and readable. Despite their condition, many collectors find these coins acceptable, making them popular on the market. This is especially true for pieces minted before 1880.

Obverse

The first thing to check is the word “LIBERTY” on the headband. Only coins with all letters of “LIBERTY” visible and readable are graded in this category, although some letters may be weak in spots. All letters are fully recognizable.

Additionally, the hairline and forehead are distinguishable, and the bases of the feathers are sharp and noticeable. About one-quarter of the hair detail should still be visible, and the ribbon is smooth.

Reverse

Coins in this grade have visible horizontal lines on the shield, although a few of them may be merged. The wreath has recognizable leaves, though they are flattened.

The bow knot is clearly visible, as well as distinct arrows, particularly the outer two. The tops of the leaves are smooth and may blend with the lower ones.

5. Very Fine (VF, VF20, VF25, VF30, VF35)

Indian Head Penny Very Fine (VF, VF20, VF25, VF30, VF35)

These coins exhibit moderate wear with slight flattening on the highest points of the design. Despite the wear, they maintain an overall attractive and pleasing condition, making them desirable to collectors.

Obverse

The word “LIBERTY” remains sharp, with most of the letters clearly visible. About half of the hair details are still present, and slight wear is visible on the feather tips, hair ends, and ribbon, with only minor flattening in these areas.

Reverse

On the reverse, the wreath leaves, arrows, and bow are worn, but most details are still distinguishable. The tips of the leaves show slight wear, and the bow is a little flat, but these elements remain clear.

6. Extra Fine (EF40, EF45)

Indian Head Penny Extra Fine (EF40, EF45)

This grade represents pennies with minimal wear on the highest points of the design, while most of the details remain sharp and well-defined. In some cases, you may still spot traces of mint luster in certain areas of the coin.

Obverse

The word “LIBERTY” should be fully visible, with sharp letters. The tips of the feathers are well-defined with only minor wear. The diamond pattern on the ribbon is still clear, but some wear is noticeable on the curl above the ear, while the details by the neck remain sharp.

Reverse

The shield is distinct, with visible, separated lines. The bow shows light wear, and the tips of the high leaves are smooth. However, you can still recognize most of the details on the wreath, particularly the raised central leaves.

7. About Uncirculated (AU50, AU55, AU58)

Indian Head Penny About Uncirculated (AU50, AU55, AU58)

Indian Head pennies in this grade show only minimal signs of wear, with a few light abrasions on the highest points of the design. Both sides of the coin are well-preserved, with nearly complete or at least three-quarters of the mint luster intact.

Obverse

On this side, you may notice slight wear, mainly on the hair curl above Liberty’s ear and the lowest curl behind the ribbon. The inscriptions, feathers, and the diamond pattern on the ribbon remain complete and attractive.

Reverse

A small trace of wear is visible on the bow knot and most of the leaves forming the wreath. The most significant wear is seen on the highest points of the design, but most of the details remain sharp.

8. Mint State (from MS60 to MS70)

Indian Head Penny Mint State (from MS60 to MS70)

Finding perfectly preserved Indian Head pennies in the highest mint state ranks is nearly impossible due to their age. However, some dedicated collectors have carefully preserved uncirculated coins over the years, maintaining their mint luster and well-defined details.

These coins show no signs of wear from circulation but may have visible contact or bag marks on the surface. Despite these minor imperfections, they remain visually appealing and highly collectible, often fetching high prices.

Summary

Although early Indian Head pennies minted before 1864 had relatively high mintages, they can still be expensive, especially in the mint state. This is particularly true for red-toned specimens with well-preserved high points and mint luster.

It’s important to note that some pennies in the series may be classified as uncirculated even if the high points are flat, as they were poorly struck during the minting process.

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