1864 Indian Head Cent | Civil War–Era U.S. Coin | Shield Reverse
Each purchase includes the exact 1864 Indian Head Cent shown in the photos, housed in a stapled 2×2 coin holder.
Coin details:
1864-dated United States one-cent coin
Struck at the Philadelphia Mint with no mintmark
Designed by James B. Longacre
Indian Head obverse with shield-and-wreath reverse
Plain edge
Raw and uncertified
Heavily circulated with considerable wear and brown coloration
Exact coin pictured is the coin you will receive
History of the 1864 Indian Head Cent
The Indian Head Cent was produced from 1859 through 1909. Its obverse features Liberty wearing a Native American-style feathered headdress, while the reverse displays the denomination “ONE CENT” inside an oak wreath topped by a Union shield.
Dated during the American Civil War, the 1864 cent represents an important transition year in United States coinage. Early examples were struck in a heavier copper-nickel alloy, while later examples used a lighter bronze composition. Some bronze coins also feature an “L” on Liberty’s ribbon for designer James B. Longacre.
The exact copper-nickel, bronze, or “L on Ribbon” attribution of this coin is not guaranteed from the photos alone. Confirming the composition may require an accurate weight and closer examination.
The change to bronze helped reduce production costs and made the coins easier to strike. The shield above the reverse wreath symbolized national unity during the Civil War.
This coin was officially issued as United States legal-tender coinage with a denomination of one cent. Its collectible value is based on its age, condition, historical significance, and variety rather than its denomination.
Please review all photos carefully for wear, color, marks, and surface characteristics. The handwritten “G4” notation on the holder is not a third-party grade or professional certification and is not guaranteed.