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- Coins are graded on their condition and appearance. Several key factors go into determining a coin's value as a collector's item, such as the coin's luster, the amount of design remaining on the coin and whether the coin has been cleaned.
- The age of these coins has increased their value above their original legal tender purpose. The rarity of some years has increased it further. Values as of May 2011 are: 1859 - $14.30; 1860 - $12.40; 1861 - $20.90; 1862 - $11.40; 1863 - $9.50; 1864 - $19; 1865 - $9.50; 1866 - $48; 1867 - $52; 1868 - $38; 1869 - $86; 1870 - $67; 1872 - $105; 1874 - $14.30; 1875 - $17.10; 1876 - $28.50; 1877 - $855; 1878 - $28.50; 1879 - $7.60; 1880-1883 - $2.85; 1884 - $4.75; 1885 - $7.60;1887 - $2.60; 1888-89 - $1.90; 1890-93 - $1.65; 1894 - $4.75; 1895-1900 - $1.65; 1901- 09 - $1.45.
- Over the 50-year minting life, many variations of the indian head pennies arose due to printing errors. The rarity of these printing errors or mid-year printing changes have increased the value of these coins: 1860 Pointed Bust - $16.20; 1864 L on Ribbon - $48; 1865 Plain 5 - $9.50; 1865 Fancy 5 - $8.55; 1867/67 Double Stamp - $95; 1869/69 - $145; 1873 Closed 3 - $48; 1873 Open 3 - $19; 1873 Double Liberty - $285; 1886 I - $5.70; 1886 II - $9.50; 1888/7 - $1,900; 1894 Double Date - $33.25; 1908 S - $67; 1909 S - $525.
- The metal composition of the coins varies over the minting life of the pennies. From 1859 until 1864 the pennies were almost all copper, consisting of 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel. At 72 grains, this was heavier than the current penny weight of 48 grains. In 1864, a change in law lowered the weight and allowed an alloy change to 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc, where it remained for the duration of the penny's pressing.
Grades of Coins
Years Without Variations
Years With Variations
Compositions and Years
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