Designed by James B. Longacre the Indian Head cent made its debut in 1859. Composed of 88% copper and 12% nickel it was also nicknamed the "nick" because of its nickel content. For most of its production all Indian Head cents were minted in Philadelphia, except for the last 2 years, 1908 and 1909, when they were minted in San Francisco. Indian Head cents minted in San Francisco carry the "S" mintmark and nice examples are relatively scarce. Philadelphia minted Indian Head cents carry no mintmark.
For 1859 only the Indian Head cent carried the Laurel Wreath on the reverse, was composed of 88% copper and 12% nickel.
1859 Indian Head Cent
| Philadelphia | |
|---|---|
| 1859 | 36,400,000 |
In 1860 the design was changed on the reverse from the original Laurel Wreath to an Oak Wreath with Shield. Composition of the coin remained the same as for 1859.
1860-1864 Indian Head Cent
| Philadelphia | |
|---|---|
| 1860 | 20,566,000 |
| 1861 | 10,100,000 |
| 1862 | 28,075,000 |
| 1863 | 49,840,000 |
| 1864 | 13,740,000 |
During 1864 the composition of the Indian Head cent was from the original 88% copper and 12% nickel to Bronze, 95% copper and 5% tin an zinc. The design remained unchanged through the final production year of 1909.
1864-1909 Indian Head Cent
| Philadelphia | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| 1864 | 39,233,714 | |
| 1865 | 35,429,286 | |
| 1866 | 9,826,500 | |
| 1867 | 9,821,000 | |
| 1868 | 10,266,500 | |
| 1869 | 6,420,000 | |
| 1870 | 5,275,000 | |
| 1871 | 3,929,500 | |
| 1872 | 4,042,000 | |
| 1873 | 11,676,500 | |
| 1874 | 14,187,500 | |
| 1875 | 13,528,000 | |
| 1876 | 7,944,000 | |
| 1877 | 852,500 | |
| 1878 | 5,797,500 | |
| 1879 | 16,228,000 | |
| 1880 | 38,961,000 | |
| 1881 | 39,208,000 | |
| 1882 | 38,578,000 | |
| 1883 | 45,591,500 | |
| 1884 | 23,257,800 | |
| 1885 | 11,761,594 | |
| 1886 | 17,650,000 | |
| 1887 | 45,223,523 | |
| 1888 | 37,489,832 | |
| 1889 | 48,866,025 | |
| 1890 | 57,180,114 | |
| 1891 | 47,070,000 | |
| 1892 | 37,647,087 | |
| 1893 | 46,640,000 | |
| 1894 | 16,749,500 | |
| 1895 | 38,341,574 | |
| 1896 | 39,055,431 | |
| 1897 | 50,464,392 | |
| 1898 | 48,821,284 | |
| 1899 | 53,598,000 | |
| 1900 | 66,831,502 | |
| 1901 | 79,609,158 | |
| 1902 | 87,374,704 | |
| 1903 | 85,092,703 | |
| 1904 | 61,326,198 | |
| 1905 | 80,717,011 | |
| 1906 | 96,020,530 | |
| 1907 | 108,137,143 | |
| 1908 | 32,326,367 | 1,115,000 |
| 1909 | 14,368,470 | 309,000 |