1877 Indian Head Cent

The key date of the entire Indian Head cent series, with a mintage of just 852,500 — and spotted by collectors almost as soon as it circulated.

History

• Mintage of 852,500 business strikes, the lowest of the Indian Head cent series — no small cent had a mintage much under 4 million before 1877 (PCGS CoinFacts; Numismatic News, accessed 2026-09-16).
• Collectors recognized the date’s significance early: one collector reported searching for it as far back as 1881, so small but steady saving from circulation makes the 1877 somewhat more available in circulated grades than other contemporary cents (Numismatic News, accessed 2026-09-16).
• PCGS CoinFacts survival estimate: 5,000 in all grades (BN), only 160 in Mint State and 15 at MS-65 or better; the RB population shows 600 in all grades with 100 at MS-65 or better (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16).
• The Mint struck about 900 proof 1877 cents (some research suggests up to 1,500 struck with unsold pieces destroyed or released into circulation), and the proof commands a significant premium because of the circulation issue’s Mint State rarity (Stack’s Bowers Coin Resource Center, accessed 2026-09-16).
• PCGS Condition Census for the RB issue lists the top coins at MS66RB, with a Heritage sale at $115,000 in August 2006 (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16).
• PCGS CoinFacts auction record for the BN issue: $71,300 for a GEM BU example at Stack’s on January 12, 1999 (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16).
• Heritage calls it the ‘singular series key’: ‘No other date in the Indian Head cent series stands out quite like the 1877’ (Heritage Auctions, accessed 2026-09-16).

Specifications

• Weight: 3.11 grams (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16)
• Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16)
• Diameter: 19.00 mm, plain edge (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16)
• Designer: James Barton Longacre (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16)
• Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark); Type 3 Bronze series (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16)

Certified populations: PCGS CoinFacts survival estimate (BN): 5,000 in all grades; 160 in Mint State; 15 at MS-65 or better (PCGS CoinFacts, accessed 2026-09-16).

Collector notes

• Counterfeits and altered dates are common — particularly coins with added mintmarks or tooling. Buy certified (PCGS/NGC) examples, especially at VF and above (general numismatic consensus).
• Strike quality varies: many genuine 1877s show weakness in the reverse wreath and denticles, which is not necessarily a sign of fakery — compare against certified pieces (PCGS CoinFacts plate coins, accessed 2026-09-16).
• Original red (RD) survivors are rare; most uncirculated pieces are Brown (BN) or Red-Brown (RB), and full-red examples command steep premiums (PCGS CoinFacts population data, accessed 2026-09-16).
• Even low-grade AG–Good examples are collectible and always liquid — this is a key date with demand in every grade (Heritage Auctions, accessed 2026-09-16).
• Distinguish carefully from the 1877 proof: circulation strikes are the celebrated rarity; the Mint also sold ~900 proofs that year (Stack’s Bowers, accessed 2026-09-16).

Market check

Related Coins

Morgan Silver Dollar1878–1921Peace Silver Dollar1921–1935Walking Liberty Half Dollar1916–1947American Silver Eagle1986–present1943 Mexico Centavo1905-1949Early American Copper: Half Cents & Large Cents1793–1857