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← 1895 Indian Head Cents • 1859–1909 1897 →
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1896

Small Cents · Indian Head Cents · 1859–1909
Regular
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 39,057,293
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-394
Last edited

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Varieties & References

No additional varieties recorded for this strike.

External references

About this coinHistory

The 1896 Indian Head cent was struck in approximately 39.1 million coins. The election of 1896, which pitted William McKinley against William Jennings Bryan, was fought largely over monetary policy. Bryan campaigned for free coinage of silver; McKinley supported the gold standard. McKinley won, and the gold standard was formally enacted in 1900. The copper cent, immune to the gold-silver debate, circulated through the political storm without comment.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $2.50 $2.50
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $3 $3.50
F-12 Fine (F) $4 $4.50
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $6.50 $7.50
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $12.50 $14.50
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $19.50 $23
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $36 $42
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $78 $83
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1896 Indian Head Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $2.50, rising to roughly $36–$42 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1896 Indian Head Cents were minted?
39,057,293 were struck.
What is a 1896 Indian Head Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1896 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 1896 Indian Head Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.