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← 1871 Indian Head Cents • 1859–1909 1873 Closed 3 →
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1872

Small Cents · Indian Head Cents · 1859–1909
Semi-key
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 4,042,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-340

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Varieties & References

No additional varieties recorded for this strike.

External references

About this coinHistory

The 1872 Indian Head cent had a mintage of approximately 4.0 million coins, placing it among the scarcer dates in the series. The 1872 shares the semi-key status of its neighbors in the late 1860s and early 1870s. Lower circulated grades (Good to Very Good) are the most commonly encountered, and each step above Fine adds meaningfully to the price. The coin circulated during the year of the great Boston fire, the Credit Mobilier scandal, and Ulysses Grant's reelection.

The semi-key dates from 1866 through 1878 form a coherent collecting challenge within the Indian Head series. Every date in this stretch is scarcer than the common years that follow, and assembling the complete run requires both persistence and a willingness to accept condition compromises that the abundant later dates do not demand.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $105 $122
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $154 $177
F-12 Fine (F) $255 $295
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $345 $395
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $470 $540
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $560 $645
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $840 $970
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $1,180 $1,250
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1872 Indian Head Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $105–$122, rising to roughly $840–$970 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1872 Indian Head Cents were minted?
4,042,000 were struck.
What is a 1872 Indian Head Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1872 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 1872 Indian Head Cent a key date?
It's a semi-key date — scarcer than common issues but more available than the series' key dates.