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A semi-key date in the Indian Cent Series with similar value and mintage to the better dates of the early 1870's. Very few have been saved of the 1869's which explains the scarcity. Scarce in Mint State as the value gradually increases with more red color. High-end red gems are extremely rare.
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
1869 Cent Production: With an original mintage lower than those of the 1866 to 1868 cents, the 1869 issue is obviously rarer. Mintages for the cent, two-cent piece, nickel three-cent piece, and nickel five-cent piece all drop this year and continued to drop over the next few years.
Survivability: Between 1868 and 1869, more than three million bronze cents and twocent pieces were turned in to the Mint for melting. A flaw in the Mint Act of April 22, 1864 failed to give any redemption clause for the coins. At that time the cent was given a 10¢ legal tender limit, and that was lowered to only 4¢ the next year. The banks could refuse to take the cents in from merchants and, as Carothers notes, many likely did. As a result, the Mint was the buyer of last resort and obliged itself to buy and melt the coins. This was done without any authorization from Congress, but it helped to solve the oversight.
The effect of this was the wholesale melting of all the bronze issues. Many of the recently issued coins went straight back to the Mint to be melted. Over the next ten years, more than 55 million bronze cents were melted; these mass meltings have had a great impact on the availability of this date as well as all others of the era.
Collecting Challenges: This is a very tough date to find, in all grades. Few collectors realize how rare this date really is. Its price has climbed steadily over the years. With little supply of quality pieces available, it will probably continue to appreciate. Expect to always pay a premium for attractive pieces.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is F-12. Most examples are a very low grade. Finding problem-free examples in Very Fine condition or better is very diffcult. Examples with problems such as scratches, cleaning, and rim dents are mostly what collectors will encounter. Try and hold out for original coins without serious problems.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-64RB. Although this grade is very scarce, there are usually examples available in the same proportion as for the 1866 to 1868 dates. These coins were saved only by chance, and in very small quantities. On such small scale, the chance survival of even a 50-piece roll would alter the pricing structure between these dates. However, such an occurrence is very unlikely for coins of this era. Full red examples, although scarce, are a bit more readily available than earlier dates.
Collecting Proof Issues: This issue was struck in the same mintage range as the 1866 to 1868 issues. Most have a mottled red-brown look, with average mirrors. Gem red examples are diffcult to find. Most of this issue comes with light die-polishing lines in the fields. Die-polishing lines, sometimes confused with hairlines, are transferred to every coin struck from that die and are raised on the coin. Hairlines are fine scratches on the surface of a coin and are remnants of some kind of cleaning or wiping of the coin after it is struck.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1314
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1869
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
ONE CENT
Weight (gr):
3.11 gr
Weight (oz):
0.11 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1869
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
6,420,000
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2094
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Coin Value History
1869 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1869 1c MS BN
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$3,100 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $2,500 | $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
1863 1c MS
Worth: $6 – $18,750
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
1869 1C XF45 PCGS. CDN: $375 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$390
1869 1C AU50 PCGS. CDN: $430 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$500
1869 1C AU58 PCGS. CDN: $525 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$1,080
1869 1C AU55 PCGS. CDN: $475 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$528
1869 1C VF20 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (38/828). Mintage 6,420,000....
$222
1869 1C VG10 PCGS. PCGS Population: (95/1555). Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$119
1869 1C Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS Population: (77/1478). Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$170
1869 1C VG8 PCGS. PCGS Population: (98/1650). Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$99
1869 1C XF40 PCGS. Snow-2. Mintage 6,420,000....
$324
1869 1C MS62 Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: (58/233). Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$840
1869 1C AU53 PCGS. PCGS Population: (69/511). Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$468
1869 1C VF35 PCGS. Mintage 6,420,000....
$288
1869 1C VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: (54/1255). Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$252
1869 1C MS63 Brown PCGS. Mintage 6,420,000. ...
$1,080
1869 1C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: (88/1307). NGC Census: (36/809). CDN: $195 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintage ...
$174
1869 1C MS64 Brown PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (85/39 and 1/1+). NGC Census: (75/28 and 1/0+). CDN: $800 Whsle. Bid for NGC...
$930
1869 1c PCGS Good-04
$65
1869 1C Good 6 PCGS. PCGS Population: (101/1591). NGC Census: (56/899). CDN: $85 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Good 6 . Mintage 6...
$81
1869 1c PCGS VF30
$320
1869 1c PCGS UNC Details (Questionable Color)
$450
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