PCGS Nos: 2118, 2119, 2120, 2309, 2310, 2311

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 14,187,500
Proofs: est. 700

Designer: James B. Longacre

Diameter: 19 millimeters

Metal content:
Copper - 95%
Tin and Zinc - 5%

Weight: 3.11 grams

Edge: Plain

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia) below the bow of the wreath on the reverse

Notes:
The 1874 Indian Head Cent was designed by James Longacre and minted to the tune of 14,187,500 circulation strikes and an estimated 700 Proof examples.  The 1874 has the second highest mintage of the 1870's, which is still way below most of the dates in the 1880's.  The design on the front of the coin features Miss Liberty wearing an Indian headdress.  Urban legends have it that Longacre's daughter, Penny, modeled the headpiece for her father and that she is the reason we call the One Cent piece a "Penny."  Sadly, neither legend is true. 

The finest Uncirculated Brown example graded by PCGS is a single MS-65BN.

The finest Uncirculated Red-Brown examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-66RB's.

The finest Uncirculated Red examples graded by PCGS are 5 MS-66RD's.

The finest Proof Brown examples graded by PCGS are 2 PR-65BN's.

The finest Proof Red-Brown example graded by PCGS is a single PR-67RB.

The finest Proof Red examples graded by PCGS are 6 PR-66RD's.

The finest Proof Cameo examples graded by PCGS are 2 PRCA-66's.

Recent appearances:
PCGS graded Proof 65 Red.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, lot 1111, illustrated, where it was described as follows: "…A very crisp looking coin with moderate mirrors and pristine surfaces. The devices exhibit a soft satiny luster. Really a very attractive coin which is nicer than most coins of this issue. This example shows die finishing lines from the 10:30 clock position to 4:30. These may look like hairlines to the untrained eye. These are caused by a rougher polishing of the die than typical for proofs. This is in fact a fairly early die state of this issue. The mirrors are moderate at best, but represent best available for this issue in this die state. The entire issue was struck from a single pair of dies. The obverse exhibits a die anomaly by 4 in the date. This looks like a repunched date but was probably caused by a defective digit punch. The reverse is struck using the same workhorse proof die used in 1872 and 1873.", sold for $3,105.00

ICG Proof 65, Red.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1253, not illustrated, sold for $1,150.00

NGC Proof-65 Red.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Rarities Sale", January 3, 2001, Lot 56, illustrated, sold for $2,185.00

PCGS Proof 65, Brown.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1254, illustrated, sold for $690.00

Proof-63 Red and Brown.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Santa Clara Signature Sale", November 16-17, 2000, Lot 5107, not illustrated, sold for $172.50

Very Choice Brilliant Proof.  Ex- Stack's "The September Sale", September 12-13, 2000, Lot 128, sold for $1,495.00

Proof-60+ Red and Brown.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coin & Collectibles' "The Fairchild Family Trust Collection Sale", May 28-30, 2001, Lot 211, not illustrated, sold for $265.00

PCGS MS-65 Red.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries "The Rarities Sale", July 31, 2002, Lot 55, illustrated, sold for $3,220.00

PCGS MS-65 Red.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6616, not illustrated, sold for $1,897.50

NGC MS-65 Red.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 325, sold for $506.00

PCGS MS-65 Red.  Ex - Superior Galleries "The ANA 2001 National Money Show Auction", March 8-9, 2001, Lot 37, unsold

MS-65, Red.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1255, illustrated, sold for $920.00

NGC MS-65 Red and Brown.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 153, not illustrated, not sold

ANACS MS-65 Red and Brown.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6615, not illustrated, sold for $690.00

NGC MS-65 Red and Brown.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 1190, unsold

NGC MS-65 Red and Brown.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 1191, sold for $345.00

NGC MS-65 Brown.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6614, not illustrated, sold for $431.25

PCGS MS-64, Red.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1256,  illustrated, sold for $1,725.00  From the Howard R. Newcomb collection of Indian Cents, purchased June 30, 1944 from J.G. Macallister

PCGS MS-64 Red.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 1192, sold for $690.00

NGC MS-64 Red.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Long Beach Signature Sale", May 31-June 2, 2001, Lot 7557, not illustrated, sold for $471.50

PCGS MS-64 Red. Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coin & Collectibles' "The Fairchild Family Trust Collection Sale", May 28-30, 2001, Lot 210, not illustrated, sold for $1,438.00

NGC MS-64 Red-Brown.  Ex – American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,” July 25, 2003 , Lot 204, "Doubled Die Obverse, Snow-1, FND-001, 1-O-V, Rarity-7", illustrated, unsold

MS-64 Red and Brown.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Santa Clara Signature Sale", November 16-17, 2000, Lot 5086, not illustrated, sold for $517.50

Choice Brilliant Uncirculated.  Ex - Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October 17-19, 2000, Lot 135, not plated, sold for $322.00

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, October 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service