The Indian Head cent, also known as an Indian Head penny, was a one-cent coin ($0.01) produced by the United States Bureau of the Mint from 1859 to 1909. It was designed by James Barton Longacre, the Chief Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint.
Image: NNC US 1859 1C Indian Head Cent (wreath)
Image: NNC US 1859 1C Indian Head Cent (wreath)
Image: NNC US 1860 1C Indian Head Cent (wreath & shield)
A Spanish colonial two-reales piece ("two bits") from the Potosà Mint (today in Bolivia)
Penny (United States coin)
The cent, the United States of America one-cent coin, often called the "penny", is a unit of currency equaling one one-hundredth of a United States of America dollar. It has been the lowest face-value physical unit of U.S. currency since the abolition of the half-cent in 1857. The first U.S. cent was produced in 1787, and the cent has been issued primarily as a copper or copper-plated coin throughout its history. Due to inflation, pennies have lost virtually all their purchasing power and are often viewed as an expensive burden to businesses, banks, government and the public in general.
Liberty Cap cent, 1794
Classic Head cent, 1811
Braided Hair large cent, 1850
Obverse side of a cent after 17 years of circulation