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The 1881 Indian Cent has a high mintage of over 39 million making it very common. Circulated coins are extremely common and accessible. In order for uncirculated coins to be scarce and valuable there must be some, if not complete, red coloring. The finest gems can be very 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
1881 Cent Production: The 1881 issue is very similar in mintage quantity and production quality to the 1880 issue. The date shape seemed to be in a transition phase this year. Between 1872 and 1880 the date punch had a straight base, but after 1881 the dates were curved. In 1881 only, the date punch had the first pair of digits straight and horizontal while the second pair of digits were straight but at an angle to the horizontal digits.
Survivability: This issue was placed into circulation and stayed there for many years. Most examples that survived are in very low grades. The odd original roll or long-time accumulation (yes, they had “penny jars” back then) is the main source of high-grade examples today.
Collecting Challenges: Selecting a problem-free and eye-appealing example is the main goal of collectors. The 1881 cent is normally well struck, but many pieces have mushy details. This is caused by extreme die wear. Die wear results as the dies strike thousands of coins. The friction of the planchets against the face of the die causes the surface to abrade. This constant abrasion causes minute radial grooves called flow lines, which create a cartwheel effect when the coin is slowly turned in a strong light source. This is desirable, as it contributes to the eye appeal of the coin, but too much die wear will cause design elements to disappear. For many collectors, die state is as important as strike and condition.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50. Select problem-free examples. Collectors tend to discount problems (such as corrosion, large hits, and scratches) much less than dealers do. As a result, a “bargainffpriced coin with corrosion might in fact be priced much higher than one can ever hope of recovering when the time comes to sell.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RB. As with other dates in the early 1880’s, it is possible (with patience) to find attractive eye-appealing coins without too much trouble.
Collecting Proof Issues: 1881 was another high-mintage year. This is a common date and is typically priced with no premium. It makes an affordable date for type collectors who want only one example to show o" the design. Examples are usually attractive, with above-average mirrors. Cameos are a bit tougher to find than in earlier dates. Spots are a problem with this issue, as many 1881 cents were not stored carefully over the years. This applies in general to many of the Proofs of this era. Vivid toning is occasionally seen and is worth a substantial premium.
VARIETIES:
Only seven minor repunched dates are known for this year. No major varieties exist.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1356
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1881
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:
1881
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
39,208,000
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2139
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1881-united-states-indian-cent-brown-surfaces/gsid/1356 GSID: 1356 Title: 1881 1c MS BN
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Coin Value History
1881 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1881 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 |
|
$725.00 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $575.00 | $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 |
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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
1881 1C MS64 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (121/44). PCGS Population: (131/33). CDN: $120 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 39...
$149
1881 1c ANACS MS63 BN
$103
1881 1c NGC AU58
$65
1881 1C MS65 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (38/4). PCGS Population: (30/3). CDN: $260 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 39,211...
$252
1881 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 15% Off Center -- XF45 NGC. ...
$438
1881 1C MS62 Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: (40/281). NGC Census: (45/241). CDN: $49 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 39...
$84
1881 1c PCGS XF Details (Environmental Damage)
$23
1881 1c PCGS F15
$20
1881 1C MS66 Brown PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (3/0). NGC Census: (2/0). Mintage 39,211,576. ...
$528
1881 1C -- Recolored -- ANACS. MS60 Details. NGC Census: (0/356). PCGS Population (3/92). Mintage: 39,211,576. Numismedia Ws...
$38
1881 1C PCGS Genuine; 1887 PCGS Genuine; 1888 PCGS Genuine; 1890 PCGS Genuine; 1899 PCGS Genuine and a 1904 PCGS Genuine.... (Total: 6 coins)
$374
1881 1C AU55 NGC. NGC Census: (1/165). PCGS Population (2/83). Mintage: 39,211,576. Numismedia Wsl. Price for NGC/PCGS coin...
$45
1881 1C AU50 NGC. NGC Census: (1/155). PCGS Population (2/65). Mintage: 39,211,576. Numismedia Wsl. Price for NGC/PCGS coin...
$39
1881 1C MS61 Brown ANACS. Repunched Date, Snow-2....
$86
1881 1C MS64 Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: (131/33). NGC Census: (121/44). CDN: $120 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 3...
$120
1881 1C MS63 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (100/151). PCGS Population: (129/158). CDN: $70 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 3...
$84
1881 1C Indian Cent -- Double Struck, 2nd Strike 75% Off Center -- AU58 NGC. ...
$1,380
1881 1C MS65+ Brown PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: (30/3 and 1/0+). NGC Census: (38/4 and 0/0+). CDN: $260 Whsle. Bid for NGC/...
$396
1881 1C --Corroded--ANACS. AU Details Net XF45. NGC Census: (0/167). PCGS Population (5/90). Mintage: 39,211,576. Numismedia...
$26
1881 1c PCGS MS62 BN
$80
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