The United States Mint produced the so-called Indian Head cent from 1859 to 1909. It was designed by James Barton Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the Mint. Born in 1794, Longacre was Chief Engraver from 1844 to 1869. While he designed several coins, he is best known for the Indian Head cent.
During the 50 years of its production, the coin’s metal content changed only once. From 1959 to 1864, the Indian Head cent was struck in 88% copper and 12% nickel. This composition gave the coins a light tan color, and by retaining its silver hue because of the nickel, they were referred to as the “white cents” back in the day. Then from 1864 on, the metal content was changed to bronze (95% copper with 5% tin and/or zinc). Due to the surfaces changes that spontaneously occur to the copper alloy over time, numismatic categories of the bronze coins were established; the bronze coins are designated as either red (RD), red-brown (RB), or brown (BN).
In 1864, about 14 million copper-nickel and roughly 39 million bronze cents were struck for circulation.
The “heads” side is called the obverse, the “tails” side, reverse. The rim is the outer raised border surrounding the obverse and reverse sides. Along the inside of the rim are denticles. The edge faces perpendicular to the sides and represents the thickness of the coin. The edge is smooth with no reeds.
There were a couple of design changes over these fifty years. The most significant change occurred quite early in the series. In 1859, the design on the reverse side showed a laurel wreath that completely surrounded the words “ONE CENT”. Then in 1860, this device was changed to consist of a oak wreath and shield. At the base of the new wreath, laurel sprigs are found as well as a ribbon binding the wreath to three arrows (supposedly representing the first three original states: Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey).
The obverse depicts a representation of Lady Liberty (clearly with Caucasian features) wearing a feather headdress (clearly representing Native American tradition). The headband contains to word “LIBERTY” and a pearl necklace is prominent. The allegorical blend of races and mix of gender stereotypes implies a unique view of freedom and unity. The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” are on the perimeter of the coin.