The Indian Head Penny - $1,000!

[Dan Hughes]

One of the first "old" coins many of us find when we begin metal detecting is the Indian head penny.

It was the second "small" cent, after the Flying Eagle cent. Do you know why the Flying Eagle cent, which preceded the Indian head penny, lasted just three years?

Who was used as a model for the Indian on the penny?

And which Indian head penny is worth a thousand dollars, even in not-so-great condition?

These questions and more are all answered in this week's show.
Listen at In the Corner with Dan Hughes.

(By the way, if you've never listened to any of these shows, they are all pretty short - this one clocks in at about four minutes. And they include more solid information than you'll find in a half-hour "reality" show.)

 

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[Frankn]

Does it have CC? Frank...

 

[Uncle Jeff]

I find fault in his commentary.. he states that from 1864 till 1962 the compistion was changed to 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc in all except the 1943 steel pennies. he has forgotten about the 1944 bronze pennies I have one

 

[CincinnatiKid]

I love IH cents. Many are overlooked. I don't have 1877, but 1876 and 1878 can be valuable.
Peace

 

[ModernMiner]

Very interesting stuff Dan. I just listened to a few and book marked your site.
Great job!
-MM-

 

[Dan Hughes]

I find fault in his commentary.. he states that from 1864 till 1962 the compistion was changed to 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc in all except the 1943 steel pennies. he has forgotten about the 1944 bronze pennies I have one

Hi Uncle Jeff!

Yes, you're right! How could I have forgotten World War II?

From 1944 through 1946, melted cartridge cases were used to make pennies, and they did look different. Chemically, the only difference was that tin was not used in these coins. The weight was the same as always (3.11 grams).

For the 1944-1946 pennies, the composition was .950 copper and .050 zinc.

In all other years, the composition was .950 copper, .050 tin and zinc. So as you said, there was indeed a chemical difference. No tin in the cartridge years!

Thanks for keeping me on my toes!

---Dan

 

[Showtime2385]

To your question who was used as a model for the Indian head penny?- its actually the head of Liberty wearing a feather head dress of a Native American.

 

[Dan Hughes]

Showtime! Don't tell 'em! Make them listen to the show!