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1908-S
| Weight | 3.11 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint | San Francisco |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 1,115,000 |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | James B. Longacre |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-420 |
Collection
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No additional varieties recorded for this strike.
External references
The 1908-S Indian Head cent is the first cent of any type struck at the San Francisco Mint. For forty-nine years, from 1859 through 1907, every Indian Head cent had been produced at Philadelphia. The 1908-S broke that monopoly. The small "S" mintmark below the wreath on the reverse identifies these coins as San Francisco products, struck in a facility 3,000 miles from Philadelphia to serve the commerce of the Western states.
The mintage was 1,115,000 coins, a figure that would be unremarkable for a Philadelphia issue but was modest for a first branch-mint cent. The 1908-S was recognized as special from the moment it was released. Collectors set aside examples in anticipation of future value. The result is that the 1908-S survives in better average condition than many earlier Indian Head dates with much higher mintages. Hoarding at the time of issue preserved more coins in higher grades than natural circulation survival would have produced.
The 1908-S carries a semi-key premium. Examples in Good to Fine are available but priced above common Philadelphia dates. Very Fine and Extremely Fine examples are scarce, and Uncirculated coins, while available due to the early hoarding, command meaningful premiums. The mintmark is small and located on the reverse, below the wreath. Confirming its presence is important, because the price difference between an 1908 (common Philadelphia issue) and an 1908-S is substantial.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | $80 | $92 |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | $86 | $99 |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | $106 | $122 |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | $121 | $140 |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | $162 | $187 |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | $205 | $235 |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | $245 | $280 |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | $475 | $500 |
How much is a 1908-S Indian Head Cent worth?
How many 1908-S Indian Head Cents were minted?
What is a 1908-S Indian Head Cent made of?
What is the melt value of a 1908-S Indian Head Cent?
Is the 1908-S Indian Head Cent a key date?
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