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The 1897 Indian Cent is a common issue in the Indian Cent Series making it the ideal type coin. 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 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
1897 Cent Production: This is a larger-mintage date. This and other dates of this era circulated extensively without any reason to be saved for 50 years. By the end of World War II they were curiosities of a distant age, saved by non-collectors (or future collectors) only because they were different.
Survivability: These are found in all grades easily, although most are worn down to Good condition.
Collecting Challenges: Select problem-free examples with attractive eye appeal.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade in AU-50 to MS-63RB. Find problem-free examples. Avoid cleaned coins.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RB or MS-64RD. These are well struck and are easily found in most grades except for MS-65RD or higher. The lack of the survival of gem full red coins is quite interesting. The entire amount of all gem survivors of any date in the late 1890’s could be the result of only two to five original rolls. The quality of these rolls will also dictate how rare the date will be in gem condition. Were they spotted, mildewed, water damaged? Or is the roll full of pristine gems of the highest order? These are the things that dictate the rarity of Indian Head cents in high grade.
Collecting Proof Issues: This is another lower-mintage issue, although they tend to be as readily available as other dates in the late 1890’s. 1897 Proofs are a bit diffcult to find in gem full red. However, some of the prettiest examples of Proof Indian Head cents are known for this year. Super-deep-mirror cameo gems are known for this date. The deep mirror cameo Proofs are the first coins made from new dies. In addition to a frosted design, these coins typically have a mirrored surface that is not smooth—it appears to be crystallized and is commonly referred to as orange peel fields. This happens because the die is initially polished while it is soft. During the hardening process the steel contacts slightly. This forces the fields to buckle slightly. Orange peel fields are highly desired by collectors.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1410
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1897
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:
1897
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
50,464,392
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2196
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1897-united-states-indian-cent-brown-surfaces/gsid/1410 GSID: 1410 Title: 1897 1c MS BN
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Coin Value History
1897 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1897 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 |
|
$575.00 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $460.00 | $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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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
1897 1C MS63 Brown NGC. Mintage 50,466,330. ...
$222
1897 1C MS64 Brown ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 50,466,330....
$109
1897 1C Misplaced Date -- Environmental Damage -- ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. Mintage 50,466,330.Flynn Reference and...
$30
1897 1C Misplaced Date, MPD-003, XF45 ANACS. Mintage 50,466,330.Flynn Reference and Cross Reference: MPD-003....
$31
1897 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 15% Off Center -- MS62 Brown NGC....
$492
1897 1C Lincoln Cent -- Struck 5% Off Center -- AU55 PCGS. ...
$140
1897 1c PCGS/CAC AU58 (MPD FS-401 S-1) ex: D.L. Hansen
$475
1897 1C MS65 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (55/3). PCGS Population: (21/0). CDN: $130 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 50,466...
$156
1897 1c PCGS UNC Details (Questionable Color)
$34
1897 1c PCGS Good-06 BN (1 in Neck)
$40
1897 1C VG8 ANACS . S-1, FS-011.5, FND-001 . NGC Census: (3/273). PCGS Population (4/218). Mintage: 50,466,328. Numismedi...
$37
1897 1C Mis-Placed Dated VF35 PCGS. FS-401. S-1. (FS-011.5). PCGS Population (6/204). NGC Census: (1/265). Mintage: 50,466,...
$135
1897 1C Indian Cents Broadstruck VF30 Brown NGC. ...
$82
1897 1C MS61 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (3/200). PCGS Population (0/110). Mintage: 50,466,328. Numismedia Wsl. Price for proble...
$70
1897 1C VF20 PCGS. 1 in Neck. Ex: Eagle Eye. PCGS Population (0/145). NGC Census: (3/429). Mintage: 50,466,328. Numismedia...
$126
1897 1C --Cleaned--MS60 Brown ICG. MS60 Details. NGC Census: (0/157). PCGS Population (0/51). Mintage: 50,466,328. Numismedi...
$25
1897 1C Indian Cent Broadstruck Out of Col VF25 PCGS. ...
$126
1897 1C Indian Cent--Struck 5% Off Center--Fine 12 PCGS. From The Larry Rausch Collection of Errors....
$104
1897 Fine15 Brown ANACS, FS-011.5, S-1....
$39
1897 1C Cent--Partial Collar, Damaged, Corroded--ANACS. VG ...
$43
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