1905 Indian Head Pennies

1905 Indian Head cents are common coins that are often found in mixed-date rolls and bags of old copper pennies. 1905 cents are also widely available at most coin shops that deal in 19th- and 20th-century U.S. coinage. Some coin collectors buy 1905 pennies for type sets as well as to complete series collections of Indian Head pennies. 1905 cents are also often bought by non-numismatists who simply want an inexpensive example of this classic American coin.

1905 Indian Head cents were struck in substantial numbers – 80,717,011 pieces were made for circulation, and an additional 2,152 proofs made for coin collectors. The business strikes in a grade of Good-4 sell for $2 each while the proof specimens sell for $1,275 in choice condition.

James B. Longacre, who served as Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1844 until his death in 1869, designed 1905 Indian Head pennies. An interesting side note about these coins is that these pennies don’t actually feature an “Indian” at all. In fact, on the obverse is a Caucasian figure of Miss Liberty, modeled after Longacre’s daughter. In addition to the Indian Head penny, James B. Longacre also designed the two-cent piece, which in 1864 became the first U.S. coin to bear the words IN GOD WE TRUST.