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Of the common later half Indian Cents, the 1885 boasts a relatively low mintage of just under 12 million coins struck. Circulated coins are extremely common and accessible. In order for uncirculated coins to be scarce and valuable there must be partial or 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
1885 Cent Production: Planchets this year were ordered from the firm of James Watson & Son. Their last shipment arrived on February 20; no new planchet deliveries were made until 1887. Coinage for both the cent and five-cent denominations was halted on February 16 and did not resume until late 1886. As a result it is probable that the planchets on hand were used for two years of cent production. Mintages for 1885 and 1886 fell to roughly half the normal amount, a low for the decade.
Survivability: Although today 1885 is recognized as a relatively scarcer date, this was not recognized until the coins were in circulation for many years. Most cents of this year are well worn. Any examples that survived extensive circulation were likely originally saved by happenstance. Numerous treasures could be found in the bottom of a 50-yearold “penny jar.” Most of the Uncirculated pieces are from random accumulations.
Collecting Challenges: Since the 1885 date will be slightly more diffcult to locate than others of the era, you should target it early in your search. These usually come well struck, so avoid weak and problem pieces.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50. Search for well-struck, problem-free pieces. Due to its higher demand, some dealers may find it easy to push their grading on this date. Make sure you don’t get overexcited about finding a bargain-priced coin of this date. Chances are it is not as great a deal as you may think. An overgraded coin is likely an overpriced coin.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-64RB. Full red gems are very hard to locate. It is not the most diffcult date of the decade to find—that honor goes to 1888 and 1889. Many 1885 cents come with vibrant luster and a sharp strike. Most examples are red-brown.
Collecting Proof Issues: Although this is another high-mintage date, they have not survived the decades very well. Most collectors of the time sought the Proof issues only to satisfy their date collections. Many old-time collections with intact Proof sets may have vibrant gems in all other denominations, but the cent will have toned dark brown. In fact, the majority of this issue is found with a deep, even, brown color (sometimes with vivid blue toning). It is very diffcult to find full red examples, and examples with deep cameo contrast are very tough to find.
VARIETIES:
Only a few minor varieties are known.
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Catalog Information
GSID:
1368
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1885
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:
1885
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
11,761,594
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2151
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1885 1c MS BN
Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1885-united-states-indian-cent-brown-surfaces/gsid/1368 GSID: 1368 Title: 1885 1c MS BN
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Coin Value History
1885 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1885 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$3,300 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $2,750 | $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 |
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Worth: $5 – $25,000
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Indian Head Cent 1c Copper Nickel, 1860-1864 MS [Type]
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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
1885 1C MS64 Brown PCGS. CDN: $190 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$204
1885 1C MS67 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (3/0). Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$2,640
1885 1C AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: (39/497). Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$69
1885 1C MS66 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (14/3). Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$720
1885 1C AU58 PCGS. CAC. CAC Population: (7/74). Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$144
1885 1C MS65 Brown NGC. CAC. CAC Population: (13/5). Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$456
1885 1C MS62 Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: (42/311). Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$99
1885 1C AU53 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (9/456). Mintage 11,765,384....
$71
1885 1C MS63 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (99/208). PCGS Population: (106/202). CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 1...
$164
1885 1C MS60 Brown ANACS. Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$99
1885 1c PCGS VF20
$22
1885 1C AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population: (37/265). NGC Census: (21/321). Mintage 11,765,384. ...
$63
1885 1C XF45 PCGS. PCGS Population (30/279). NGC Census: (14/334). Mintage: 11,765,384. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem f...
$50
1885 1C VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population (5/226). NGC Census: (2/618). Mintage: 11,765,384. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fre...
$36
1885 1C --Altered Surfaces--NCS. UNC Details. NGC Census: (0/0). PCGS Population (0/0). Mintage: 11,765,384. (#2151)...
$69
1885 1C XF40 Brown--Whizzed--ANACS, AU Details. The current Coin Dealer Newsletter (Greysheet) wholesale "bid" price is $40.0...
$46
1885 1C, BN
$66
1885 1C MS64+ Brown NGC. Mintage 11,765,384....
$228
1885 1C MS67 Brown NGC. ...
$1,495
1885 1C AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: (35/474). NGC Census: (9/452). CDN: $70 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 11,765,38...
$78
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