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The 1863 is the largest mintage and the most common of the Copper-Nickel Indian Cents making it the ultimate type coins for the series. Only scarce in high-end gem, as anything less is very affordable and accessible. It normally comes with a strong strike and a wide array of luster and colors, good and bad.
Obverse Description
A portrait bearing the likeness of a Native American in full headdress framed by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery. The date is centered at the bottom under the portrait.
Reverse Description
The reverse bears the denomination of ONE CENT in the center surrounded by a wreath bearing a ribbon with arrows tied in at the bottom center.
Book Reference
1863 Cent Production: Both the Union and the Confederacy were drained emotionally and financially due to the horrific battles of the Civil War, by 1863 entering its third year. The resulting fear had chased all federal silver and gold coinage into hiding, with the cent following in mid-1862. Still, the Mint pounded the cents out in record numbers. Eventually, with coinage substitutes (such as Fractional Currency notes) entering circulation, the cent lost its premium and started to be seen in commerce again.
Survivability: These survived in their original condition until the end of the war, when they reentered circulation. During the recoinage redemption of the 1870’s a large percentage of the mintage was melted, but because the mintage was so great, even a small percentage of survivors left a large quantity of coins for today’s collectors. These are easily found today in excellent condition.
Collecting Challenges: Collectors are advised to search out well-struck examples from early-die-state dies. This issue is very easy to find otherwise.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50. Examples in all the lower grades are very easy to locate. Avoid problem pieces.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65. This date is easily found in all grades. Select coins with extra eye appeal. True gems with sharp details are slightly diffcult to locate.
Collecting Proof Issues: Although similar in mintage to 1862, this issue is about twice as rare. Examples tend to be quite attractive with perhaps 40% qualifying for cameo status. The optimal collecting grade for Proofs is PF-65.
Bronze Tokens and Cents: This year saw the quantity of privately minted cent-sized copper tokens increase dramatically in major cities such as New York, Cincinnati, and Chicago. These Civil War tokens are collected extensively and offer an interesting sidelight to the federal coinage of the era.
The success of these tokens inspired the Mint to produce its own bronze cent. An interesting and historical pattern (Judd-299) was produced this year with the regular dies in bronze. These patterns make an affordable and interesting addition to collections as an early beginning to the full-scale production of bronze cents the next year.
VARIETIES:
A few minor repunched dates are known for this date. The best variety is the reverse doubled die, Snow-10. This doubled die is popular, but not well known. This creates a possibility for cherrypicking overlooked varieties. Few dealers (or collectors for that matter) check the reverse dies for varieties.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1294
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1863
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
ONE CENT
Weight (gr):
4.67 gr
Weight (oz):
0.165 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1863
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
49,840,000
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1860-1864
Composition:
0.880 Copper; 0.120 Nickel
PCGS #:
2067
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Coin Value History
1863 1c MS
Value By Grade
1863 1c MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$22,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $18,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Indian Head Cent 1c 1859, Reverse of 1858 MS [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c 1859, Reverse of 1858 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/Indian-Cent.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $5 – $25,000
1859 1c MS
Worth: $5 – $25,000
Indian Head Cent 1c Copper Nickel, 1860-1864 MS [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c Copper Nickel, 1860-1864 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1863-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $6 – $72,000
1860 1c Round Bust MS
Worth: $6 – $18,000
1860 1c Pointed Bust MS
Worth: $7 – $28,800
1861 1c MS
Worth: $14 – $72,000
1862 1c MS
Worth: $6 – $72,000
1864 1c Copper Nickel MS
Worth: $14 – $20,000
Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS BN [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS BN [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/auctions_stacksbowers_com_lots_view_3_j4gae-0.20200712022457246.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $1 – $1,688
Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS RB [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS RB [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20250811/m7z2wm7kefb0wx6umy1d.webp?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $44 – $2,000
Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS RD [Type]
![Indian Head Cent 1c Bronze, 1864-1909 MS RD [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20200826/ha_com_131705_30309-0.20200826140250544.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $110 – $120,000
1864 1c Bronze MS BN
Worth: $10 – $625
1864 1c Bronze MS RB
Worth: $160 – $11,500
1864 1c Bronze MS RD
Worth: $300 – $18,000
1864 1c L on Ribbon MS BN
Worth: $20 – $5,000
1863 1C MS63 PCGS. CDN: $340 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 49,840,000....
$366
1863 1C AU50 ANACS. Mintage 49,840,000....
$64
1863 1C MS66 NGC. NGC Census: 68 in 66 (10 in 66+, 1 in 66*), 6 finer (11/25). CDN: $2,100 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS66. Mi...
$2,196
1863 1C MS62 PCGS. CDN: $215 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 49,840,000. ...
$214
1863 1C MS64 PCGS. CDN: $500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 49,840,000. ...
$660
1863 1C AU58 NGC. CDN: $120 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 49,840,000. ...
$149
1863 1C AU55 PCGS. Mintage 49,840,000. ...
$104
1863 1C Indian Cent -- 55° CW Rotated Dies -- XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: (68/4963 and 0/137+). Mintage 49,840,000....
$114
1863 1C Indian Cent -- 65% CW Rotated Dies -- XF45 PCGS. Mintage 49,840,000....
$129
1863 1C MS65 NGC. Mintage 49,840,000. ...
$900
1863 1C MS61 NGC. Mintage 49,840,000. ...
$186
1863 1C Indian Cent -- Planchet Split, Obverse Half -- VF20 NGC....
$149
1863 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 10% off Center -- VF30 PCGS....
$432
1863 1C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NCS. AU Details. Mintage 49,840,000....
$79
1863 1C Indian Cent -- Double Struck, Second Strike Off Center -- Good 4 ANACS. Mintage 49,840,000....
$300
1863 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 20% Off Center -- VF35 NGC. ...
$660
1863 1C -- Obverse Slide Marks -- ANACS. MS60 Details. Mintage 49,840,000....
$71
1863 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 30% Off Center -- Fine 12 NGC. ...
$613
1863 1C MS67 PCGS. CAC. ...
$24,000
1863 1C Indian Cent -- Reverse Cud Die Break -- VG8 PCGS. From The Don Bonser Error Coin Collection Part I...
$156
Greysheet News
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8/8/2024
American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago
Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
7/25/2024
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The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.
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Events
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World & Ancient Coins Wednesday & Thursday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Thursday, July 2, 2026
