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The 1896 Indian Cent is a common issue in the Indian Cent Series that would make the ideal type coin. 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 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
1896 Cent Production: As the country began to recover from the depression of 1893, businesses began to feel strong growth, justifying the need for more coins. The Mint experienced strong demand for cents and thus devoted much energy to increasing output this year and for the years to follow.
Survivability: The coins of this issue were put into circulation and stayed there for at least a generation.
Collecting Challenges: These are widely available in most all grades except in gem condition. Select eye-appealing coins with good strikes and no problems.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50 to MS-63RB. These should be easy to find without any problems.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RB or MS-64RD. These are a bit scarcer than other dates in the later 1890’s, although this is not currently reflected in the price. Full red gems are surprisingly scarce. These tend to be a bit bright pale-gold, rather than the red-gold of other dates. Perhaps this makes them harder to be accepted as true gems.
Collecting Proof Issues: The mintage for this issue dips below the 2,000 mark for the first time since 1877. Mintages from here until the end of the series will remain at these lower levels. This date is very tough with full red color, especially in PF-65RD or higher grades. Many of the high-end examples will get the cameo designation.
VARIETIES:
Presently 16 varieties are known, mostly minor repunched dates.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1407
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1896
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:
1896
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
39,055,431
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2193
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1896-united-states-indian-cent-brown-surfaces/gsid/1407 GSID: 1407 Title: 1896 1c MS BN
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Coin Value History
1896 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1896 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 |
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
1896 1C Repunched Date, Snow-1, FS-301, MS64 Brown ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 39,057,293....
$109
1896 1C MS63 Brown NGC. Mintage 39,057,293. ...
$124
1896 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 10% Off Center -- VG10 Brown NGC....
$276
1896 1C MS65 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (54/5). PCGS Population: (18/1). CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 39,057...
$198
1896 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 10% Off Center -- AU50 NGC....
$159
1896 1C Indian Cent -- Double Struck, Second Strike Off Center -- MS62 Brown NGC. ...
$2,880
1896 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 15% Off Center -- VF30 NGC. ...
$228
1896 Indian Cent 1C -- Quadruple Struck, Third Strike 60% Off Center, First and Third Die Strikes in Collar -- AU53 PCGS. ...
$4,320
1896 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 5% Off Center -- AU58 NGC. ...
$180
1896 1C Indian Cent -- Broadstruck -- Good 4 ANACS. From The Don Bonser Error Coin Collection Part II. ...
$61
1896 1C Indian Cent -- Double Struck, Second Strike 70% Off Center -- AU55 NGC. ...
$810
1896 1c PCGS XF40
$46
1896 1C Indian Cent -- Struck 3% Off-Center -- XF45 PCGS. ...
$129
1896 1C MS66 Brown NGC. CAC. NGC Census: (6/0). PCGS Population (0/0). Mintage: 39,057,292. Numismedia Wsl. Price for probl...
$345
1896 1C --Cleaned--ICG. MS60 Details. NGC Census: (0/146). PCGS Population (0/218). Mintage: 39,057,292. (#2193)...
$79
1896 1C Lincoln Cent Broadstruck G 6 ICG. ...
$29
1896 1C MS61 Brown ANACS. NGC Census: (1/105). PCGS Population (0/34). Mintage: 39,057,292. Numismedia Wsl. Price: $34. (#2...
$29
1896 Fine12 Brown ANACS,RPD, FS-011.4, S-1. The current ...
$13
1896 1C MS64 Brown NGC. Mintage 39,057,293. ...
$159
1896 1C MS63 Brown PCGS. Mintage 39,057,293. ...
$61
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