1859 Indian Head Cent, Variety 1

Add a vintage 1859 Indian Head penny to your collection! Designed by James B. Longacre, the 1859 penny is both a first-year issue and a one-year-only design. The obverse depicts Liberty in a Native American headdress, while the reverse bears the original Laurel Wreath design that was replaced after just one year. Stuck in copper-nickel, early Indian Head Cents like this were often called nickels or nicks.

In 1859, Oregon was admitted as the 33rd U.S. state and construction began on both the Suez Canal in Egypt and Big Ben in London. Recall these and other historic events with this classic 1859 one-cent coin!

We offer a variety of grades to meet your collecting goals and budget. Plus, each expertly graded 1859 Indian cent is backed by Littleton’s 45-day Money Back Guarantee of Satisfaction. This series is popular among collectors. And demand for all cents has only grown since the U.S. Mint retired the cent denomination in 2025. PCGS estimates less than 7,000 of these coins survive in all grades, so order your 1859 U.S. penny today!