1881 Indian Head Cent

1881 1C NGC/CAC PR65RB (8741371001)

James B. Longacre’s Indian Head cent remains a cornerstone of nineteenth-century American numismatics, capturing a transition toward a distinctly national design identity. By 1881, the bronze alloy was well-established, and the Philadelphia Mint was producing proofs of exceptional quality for the era's growing collecting community.

This 1881 representative, certified Proof 65 Red-Brown by NGC and verified by CAC, offers a remarkable look at Longacre's engraving. The Red-Brown designation indicates a coin that has preserved a significant portion of its original mint luster while developing the deeper, mellowed coloration characteristic of carefully kept proof bronze.

At the Gem proof level, the sharp strike and mirrored fields elevate the simple dignity of the design. It is a well-preserved survivor that represents the peak of late-nineteenth-century minting technology, making it a quiet, sophisticated addition to any advanced cabinet of copper.