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1869

Small Cents · Indian Head Cents · 1859–1909
Semi-key
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 6,420,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-334

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Varieties & References

No additional varieties recorded for this strike.

External references

About this coinHistory

The 1869 Indian Head cent was produced in a mintage of approximately 6.4 million coins, one of the lower figures in the series. The semi-key status makes the 1869 notably scarcer than the high-mintage 1862 and 1863 dates. Most survivors are in lower circulated grades. Fine and above becomes progressively harder to locate.

The year 1869 saw the completion of the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts by rail for the first time. The event transformed American commerce, and the coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1869 would eventually circulate across a continent linked by rail in ways that had been impossible a year earlier.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $114 $131
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $183 $210
F-12 Fine (F) $380 $440
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $490 $565
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $690 $800
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $875 $1,010
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $990 $1,140
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $1,730 $1,830
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1869 Indian Head Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $114–$131, rising to roughly $990–$1,140 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1869 Indian Head Cents were minted?
6,420,000 were struck.
What is a 1869 Indian Head Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1869 Indian Head Cent?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1869 Indian Head Cent a key date?
It's a semi-key date — scarcer than common issues but more available than the series' key dates.