1889 Indian Head Pennies

1889 Indian Head cents are highly common and are often encountered in mixed-date rolls of Indian Head cents. They’re also readily found at most coin shops that sell U.S. 19th- and 20th-century coinage. 1889 pennies are primarily bought by collectors who are building type sets and numismatists who are assembling a series collection of Indian Head pennies. 1889 Indian Head pennies are also popular among those who may not collect pennies but still want an inexpensive example of this classic American coin.

1889 Indian Head cents were made in large numbers. 48,866,025 were struck, and they retail for as little as $2.25 in a grade of Good-4. 3,336 proof pennies were also made in 1889, and these retail for $1,900.

Chief Engraver of the United States Mint James B. Longacre was the designer of the Indian Head penny. He served in his role as Chief Engraver from 1844 until his death in 1869 and became well known for producing the two-cent piece, which in 1864 became the first U.S. coin to bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.

Interestingly, 1889 Indian Head pennies don’t actually feature a Native American at all. The figure on the obverse of the coin represents Miss Liberty, and this head was modeled after Longacre’s red-headed daughter, Sarah.