1906 Indian Head Penny
- 1906 Indian Head Penny Price
- 1906 Indian Head Penny Varieties
- 1906 Indian Head Penny Value
- 1906 Indian Head Penny
- 1906 Indian Head Penny Errors
The 1906 Indian Head pennies have value as numismatic coins. Keep reading to learn more about these one cent coins.
- The Philadelphia and San Francisco mints struck Indian Head pennies in 1909, with Philadelphia cents being the most common for that year. The 1909-S Indian Head pennies are quite scarce and, actually, were struck in small quantities than that mint’s more widely known 1909 production, the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent.
- 1906 Indian Head Cent. Designer: James B. Mintage: 96,020,530. Metal Content: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc. Diameter: 19 mm.
- Designed by James B. Longacre, the Indian Head cent is considered the most beautiful bronze U.S. Obverse features Liberty in a Native American headdress, while reverse of coin depicts oak wreath and shield. In 1906, the San Francisco Mint was one of few buildings to survive the earthquake and fire that destroyed much of the city.
Specifications
Type: Indian Head Penny
Year: 1906
Face Value: $0.01
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Total Weight: 3.11 grams
The Philadelphia and San Francisco mints struck Indian Head pennies in 1909, with Philadelphia cents being the most common for that year. The 1909-S Indian Head pennies are quite scarce and, actually, were struck in small quantities than that mint’s more widely known 1909 production, the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent.
There is no mint mark on this coin. Each coin was minted in Philadelphia.
| Series | Location | Quantity Minted |
|---|---|---|
| 1906 | Philadelphia | 96,020,530 |
| 1906 Proof | Philadelphia | 1,725 |
Value
The 1906 Indian Head penny is worth around $2 in good condition. In very fine condition the value is around $6. In extremely fine condition the value is around $10. In uncirculated condition the price is around $40 for coins with an MS 60 grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 63 can sell for around $60.
The 1906 Indian Head proof penny is worth around $150 in PR 63 condition.
Grading System
Good- The word 'LIBERTY' inscribed on Liberty's headband is not visible.
Very fine- The word 'LIBERTY' inscribed on Liberty's headband is visible but there is slight wear.
Extremely fine- The word 'LIBERTY' inscribed on Liberty's headband is sharp. The other details on the coin are also sharp. There is slight wear on the end of the ribbon.
MS 60 uncirculated- There are no signs of wear. The coin has luster, but there may be a few stains, abrasions, or surface marks.
MS 63 choice uncirculated- In the major focal areas there are some blemishes or contact marks. The coin's luster might not be as prominent.
PR 63 proof- This coin has reflective surfaces and only a few blemishes away from the major focal points. There are no major flaws.
Sources:
The Red Book
See also:
1907 Indian Head Penny
1905 Indian Head Penny
1904 Indian Head Penny
The Indian Head Penny series began circulation in 1859 and ended in 1909. Designed by James Longacre, Head Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint, this coin series has long been a favorite of collectors.
The previous cent piece was the size of a half dollar and was made entirely of copper. As the price of copper rose in response to the California Gold Rush, the Mint shrunk the size of the cent piece to the 19 millimeters we know today and decreased the percentage of copper, first with the Flying Eagle cent in 1857 and then with the Indian Head Penny in 1859.
Throughout the tumultuous years of its production, which included the Civil War and Reconstruction Era, the Indian Head Penny saw several design and composition alterations, such as changing the wreath on the reverse from laurel to oak.
On the obverse of Longacre’s coin, we have a profile bust portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a Native American-style feather headdress with the word “LIBERTY” engraved on the headband. Wrapping around the top rim are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and below Liberty’s head is the year of mintage.
On the reverse, the denomination “ONE CENT” is centered prominently surrounded by a wreath. At the top of the wreath is a shield, and at the bottom of the wreath is a bundle of arrows. On both the obverse and reverse faces, the coin features a denticled rim, a rim comprised of a ring of small bumps.
History of the 1906 Indian Head Penny
The 1906 Indian Head Penny was among the last mintages of the Indian Head Penny, as the series was replaced by the Lincoln cent in 1909. At the beginning of the 20th century, including 1906, Indian Head Penny mintage was restricted to the Philadelphia Mint. It wasn’t until 1908 that they were produced elsewhere. As such, there are no mint marks on 1906 Indian Head Pennies.
The Philadelphia Mint reports minting 96,020,530 Indian Head Pennies in 1906, a rather large mintage for the time period. Large numbers of mintage are characteristic of all late Indian Head Penny mintings; this increase can be attributed to the stability of the economy in the early 1900s as well as the emerging popularity of penny arcades across the nation that created a demand for cent pieces.
From a design standpoint, the 1906 Indian Head Penny bears no difference from other Indian Head Pennies, though it should be noted that the wreath on the reverse is composed of oak leaves instead of the laurel used in earlier mintings.
Compositionally, the 1906 coin is also standard for Indian Head Pennies at this time: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc. It has a diameter of 19mm and a mass of 3.11 grams.
1906 Indian Head Penny Price
Valuing the 1906 Indian Head Penny
Because of the large minting numbers for late Indian Head Pennies, the 1906 minting has many surviving examples. As such, it is not as highly valued as certain dates, especially those of the 19th century. Nevertheless, the market for Indian Head Pennies is stable, and lower grades still fetch a decent price.
1906 Indian Head Penny Varieties
1906 Indian Head Pennies which are graded as Good 4 or Very Good 8 are generally valued at $2-3. Fine 12 coins are valued around $4.68, Very Fine 20 coins around $6, and Extremely Fine 40 coins around $10.
If the coins are in an Uncirculated or Mint State (MS-60 or MS-63), their value can range from $30 to $57. Proof coins (PR-63) are worth the most, being valued at $144 or more.
At auction, Mint State and Proof coins can bring in as much as $165, and in one case, a 1906 Indian Head Penny with exceptional luster and sharp strike sold for $460 at a rare coin auction!
1906 Indian Head Penny Value
1906 Indian Head Penny
Outside of going to a coin dealer to have your coin appraised, the best way to get an idea of the condition of a 1906 Indian Head Penny is to look at the feather, hair, and headband detail on the obverse face. The sharper and clearer the texture appears in the feathers and hair–and the more legible the word “LIBERTY” is on the headband–the more value your coin is likely to have.
1906 Indian Head Penny Errors
Even if your 1906 Indian Head Penny is of a lower grade, these coins are highly sought after by collectors looking to complete the Indian Head Series, so getting the $2-3 price for your coin should not be an issue.