1873 Indian Head Cents (1859-1909)

Intriguing History

In 1873, the country was working through Reconstruction's turbulent politics under Presidents Johnson and Grant, an era of both promise and corruption, culminating in the nation's 1876 Centennial celebrations even as an economic panic in 1873 and a controversial demonetization of silver dollars roiled the currency debate. This Indian Head cent, designed by James B. Longacre, carried small change through exactly this stretch of American history for half a century.