1906 Indian Head Penny

The 1906 Indian Head pennies have value as numismatic coins. Keep reading to learn more about these one cent coins.

1906 Indian Head Pennies, Old US Coins, Antique Copper Penny, Coin Collecting CoinsUSA $ 7.25. FREE shipping 1906 Indian Head Penny Ajsteel22 $ 600.00. Only 1 available and it's in 1 person's cart. 1906 Toned Indian Head Penny/ High Grade (PK67) TheUniqueWebsite $ 40.00. The Indian Head Penny has a lady wearing a feathered headdress on its face. Most Indian Head pennies are worth at least a dollar if the date can be read, and those in good condition are worth as much as $5. While cleaning an Indian Head Penny is not advised, especially for old coins or those that have been inherited.

The Philadelphia and San Francisco mints struck Indian Head pennies in 1909, with Philadelphia cents being the most common for that year. The 1909-S Indian Head pennies are quite scarce and, actually, were struck in small quantities than that mint’s more widely known 1909 production, the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent. The Indian Head penny was introduced in 1859 with a composition of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel and a diameter of 19 mm and a weight of 4.67 grams. In 1864 the composition was changed to 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin with a reduced weight of 3.11 grams.

Specifications

Type: Indian Head Penny
Year: 1906
Face Value: $0.01
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Total Weight: 3.11 grams

There is no mint mark on this coin. Each coin was minted in Philadelphia.

Value

The 1906 Indian Head penny is worth around $2 in good condition. In very fine condition the value is around $6. In extremely fine condition the value is around $10. In uncirculated condition the price is around $40 for coins with an MS 60 grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 63 can sell for around $60.

The 1906 Indian Head proof penny is worth around $150 in PR 63 condition.

Grading System

1906 Indian Head Penny Errors

Good- The word 'LIBERTY' inscribed on Liberty's headband is not visible.

Very fine- The word 'LIBERTY' inscribed on Liberty's headband is visible but there is slight wear.

Extremely fine- The word 'LIBERTY' inscribed on Liberty's headband is sharp. The other details on the coin are also sharp. There is slight wear on the end of the ribbon.

MS 60 uncirculated- There are no signs of wear. The coin has luster, but there may be a few stains, abrasions, or surface marks.

MS 63 choice uncirculated- In the major focal areas there are some blemishes or contact marks. The coin's luster might not be as prominent.

PR 63 proof- This coin has reflective surfaces and only a few blemishes away from the major focal points. There are no major flaws.

Sources:

The Red Book

See also:

1906 Indian Head Penny

1907 Indian Head Penny
1905 Indian Head Penny
1904 Indian Head Penny

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90

Discovering your 1908 Indian head penny value must now include its condition and determining if your coin is the rare 'S' mint issue.

A significant event accrued in 1908, the mint in San Francisco struck pennies for the first time. Importantly and affecting the value of these Indian pennies, the quantities of coins produced was only a fraction of those minted at the main facility in Philadelphia.

Now accurately finding the value of these 1908 pennies is both judging its condition and a check on the reverse for the possibility of the 'S' mintmark indication the San Francisco mint. Below the value chart is an image to help locate this important mintmark.

Keep in mind, even if your coin is not the highly valued 1908-S Indian penny, it is still valued as a collectible. Take extra care when judging condition, better grade coins are awarded high premiums for quality of preservation. Pictured is one example, this 'uncirculated' 1908 Indian head penny value is over $32 because of the gem condition.

Finding the 'S' mintmark is exciting, but rare, more often the value is in accurately determining your coin’s condition.

Auction Value of the Rare 'S' Mint 1908 Indian Head Penny

Few 1908-S Indian head pennies are available today in true 'uncirculated' condition, meaning without any wear to their surfaces. It is also the state of preservation preferred by collectors. Additionally, the 1908 San Francisco penny is considered an important part to a collection of Indian cents. Their value is secure, as a popular series, a 1908-S is necessary to complete collections and it is rare.

When one of these top condition rarities are offered it is likely presented in an auction setting. David Lawrence rare coin auction sold the example pictured for $483. This coin is clearly without any wear, it retains much of the original luster and no distracting marks are visible. A true collectible, solid for the grade, solid demand and 1908 Indian head penny value.

Steady Value Found in Accurate Grading

Not to be over shadowed by the rare 1908-S penny, condition is a major factor in Indian penny value. In all cases by judging condition you discover accurately how much your 1908 penny is worth. Compare both the images and descriptions with the appearance of your coin.

Uncirculated: Desirable because no wear is affecting the surfaces. This penny despite its age is in like new condition. Toning may appear as a dark redness and brown, however no parts of the design have been worn from contact. With a magnifying glass examine her cheek and the tips of the feathers for wear. Minting imparts a certain grain to the surfaces of coins, wear can appear as a somewhat glossy or smooth area and sometimes with dullness to the area.

Extremely Fine: Sharply defined describes this grade. You have to look close to find the small amount of wear present on the hair just above the ear. Notice a slight flattening to the cheek below her eye, and the ribbon trailing below her headdress. Overall a nice coin with a pleasing appearance. In this condition it represents nice 1908 Indian head penny value and desirability as a collectible.

Fine: As a coin begins to show moderate wear its grade is termed 'fine.' Wear has merged the hairline and headband and continues down the neckline smoothing the ribbon and hair curl where they meet. A positive is the major details of the feathers show and each feather is separated from the next. Clearly a coin that has seen moderate wear but still has some sharpness.

Good: Worn to a shallow relief with little detail remaining describes a coin in 'good' condition. The area surrounding the eye is slightly defined. Just visible is a separation of chin and neck. The headdress and feathers are worn smooth showing just an outline. Although the lettering and date are heavily worn they should be separated from the rim. Your 1908 Indian head penny value may be at the low end of the scale, however it is an important year in penny production.

Finding the Valuable 'S' Mintmark

Adding to the large production of Philadelphia mint pennies, a relatively small number of 1908 Indian head pennies were minted in San Francisco. Examine the reverse of your coin, at the bottom between the ribbon and rim. A small 'S' mintmark indicates the valuable San Francisco coin.

Coin Values CoinStudy Articles

Date by Date
In Depth Indian Penny Value
1859 to 1882

Date by Date
In Depth Indian Penny Value
1883 to 1909

A very popular coin, the value of an Indian Head penny is the result of wide spread collector interest. Common dates are now worth one dollar each. Many collections are being assembled with an emphasis on high condition and rarity. Compare your Indian head penny dates to the values chart. Find not only your 1908 Indian head penny value but all dates in the series.

Accurate penny values are found by using the grading images and descriptions to judge the condition of your coins. Next, check the date and values on the charts covering each series of US pennies. Discover all the rare varieties, dates and mintmarks combinations.

★Coin Values Discovery finds... 1908 Indian Head Penny Value and...

1906 Indian Penny

All old US coin values. Use this page as a starting point, it is an excellent index with images and text links to all coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images and descriptions uncover not only the value of Indian pennies but how much your box of old coins is worth.