The High Value of an Indian Penny

Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A mint state grade penny is without wear to the surface by definition. Original luster imparted during mining remains without any wear spots on high points of design.

Early wear is prone to show on the two waves of hair over the ear. A mint state coin in this area has a texture of metal similar to the hair further up the in the forehead area. Wear over the ear smooths the metal changing its look and removing the grains of luster.

Below the ear, across the top of the ribbon remains with any smoothing effect to the metal.

Two large waves of hair at the bust line are high in the centers and prone to flattening from wear. Identify these are of a texture matching close-by areas.

Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Many areas of the reverse present themselves as prone to initial wear.

Leaf edges are not only high in relief but small in dimension, any wear quickly smooths these surfaces and removes luster. A "faded" look when compared to deeper recess indicates the upper edges are worn.

"One Cent" is bold with wide flat surfaces. A mint state coin shows the texture of the letters matches the lower surrounding fields of the coin; no smoothing is seen on letters.

A small bow of ribbon holding the ends of the wreath and arrows is prone to wear. High points include the upper loop, ribbon below the loop and over the arrow shafts. Lack of flatness to these points is helping place the coin in Mint State grade.

Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Slight wear is creating small smooth and flat areas on highest parts of design. All major and most minor design features remain leaving a bold appearance.

Important is "Liberty" across the headband is fully raised and no connections are noted with the upper and lower lines of band.

Wear has created a flat area above the Indian's ear, no longer are two lines visible defining hair strands.

Two small and disconnected flat areas are the eye brow and hair just to the right. Strands in hair are now missing but these areas a fully separate.

Flatness is on tops of the ribbon losing inner detail as it crosses over the waves of hair. Hair just below shows a distinct flat area on top of each curl.

Notice a defining line of the lower edge of ribbon remains.

Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Bold details of the wreath remain, helping define the Extremely Fine grade.

Edges of the oak leaves have lost the sharp, raised edge defining the leaves. This edge is now worn to the level of the leaf. All leaves remain separate and distinct from each with many finer inner lines showing. A depth and contour to each leaf is noted.

Bow holding the wreath ends and arrows remains raised above lower elements with defined edges. Flatness has removed raised areas but no blending is seen.

Arrow shafts are complete. Center arrow shaft is flattened but continues across leaves.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Flat areas are now noticeable on several areas of the design. Cheek and eye brow are flattened but disconnected contours.

"Liberty" remains readable within headband. Lower portions of "IBER" are just beginning to fade and become weak. A small amount of blending with lower edge of head band touches only bottoms of letters.

Hair below head band is now flat and lacking any strands. Although worn smooth a separation of two main areas of hair remain.

Ribbon crossing hair under the ear is now blended with the lower curls of hair. Upper edge of over hair is well defined.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Strong wreath elements remain on a coin in Fine grade.

Each leaf is clear and bold from underlying leaf. Central lines and veins are showing towards the base of the majority of leaves.

Traces of the ribbon crossing over the ends of the wreath and arrows is visible. On some coins this feature is bolder than others. Presence of a well-defined ribbon increases desirability to collectors in the Fine grade.

A bold shield displays strong vertical and horizontal lines. Some blending of these fine lines is often found near the outer border of shield.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Heavy wear has reduced all minor and major designs to a flat surface. An outline remains to the Indian.

If no trace of any letters to "Liberty" are visible within the headband, a maximum grade of Good is assigned.

Remaining bold from the field, a full outline of the Indian is visible. At the top of the headdress, feathers are outlined from the field.

Legend is complete, weakness towards the rim is often seen in areas. However, majority of tops of letters are separate of the rim.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: An outlined wreath remains with a readable "One Cent" in center.

Wreath is worn smooth but strongly outlined from field.

Vertical strips are mostly visible within the shield with the small vertical lines flat to just a few visible. A line separates the horizontal line area from the vertical strips.

Bow and ribbon elements are worn smooth leaving a strong loop to suggest a bow. A few edge lines defining arrow points remain.

These two coins illustrate different colors of toned copper. Both are similar in the amount of wear to the surface. However, eye appeal is greater with the 1908, an even light brown color with lighter shades highlighting is attractive. The 1900 penny is dark and somewhat uneven in color obscuring many of the finer details.

Natural Color Adds Appeal

The reverse of an 1896 is free of discoloration and corrosion, a nice coin. Second penny is an 1893 with pitted surfaces and verdigris (the green color) causing further corrosion.

Collector's Choice

Comparing surface qualities of these coins, both stand out for different reasons. The 1904 is a lightly worn pleasing cent, a collector's choice. The 1896 is a marred, rough surface example, worth minimal value.

Penny Values | Rare Pennies Have Outstanding Values

Coin values listed. From the earliest Half and Large cents, to Indian head pennies to the popular Wheat pennies of 1909 to 1958. Match you coins to the grading images and value charts. Some of these old pennies have amazing values.