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1871
| Weight | 3.11 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 3,929,500 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | James B. Longacre |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-338 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
The 1871 Indian Head cent was produced in a mintage of approximately 3.9 million coins, one of the lowest in the series up to that point. The low mintage translates directly into scarcity. The 1871 is harder to find than most Indian Head dates, and the semi-key premium is consistent across all grades. The coin circulated during the height of the Gilded Age's early period, when rapid economic growth coexisted with labor unrest and widespread political corruption.
Finding a problem-free 1871 above Fine requires patience. Very Fine examples are genuinely uncommon, and Extremely Fine or better is rare enough to attract competitive bidding at auction. The 1871 is one of the dates that separates casual Indian Head collectors from committed ones.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $121 | $140 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $172 | $199 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $245 | $280 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $325 | $375 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $470 | $540 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $605 | $695 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $770 | $890 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $1,055 | $1,120 |
How much is a 1871 Indian Head Cent worth?
How many 1871 Indian Head Cents were minted?
What is a 1871 Indian Head Cent made of?
What is the melt value of a 1871 Indian Head Cent?
Is the 1871 Indian Head Cent a key date?
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