Whitman Expo
The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
Only beaten by the 1877 and 1909-S in low mintage numbers as this Indian Cent had just over 1.1 million produced in 1908 San Francisco. Scarcity begins in the AU range and continues through Mint State. Brown coins are accessible with increasing value by grade and color. Red gems are incredibly desirable and 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. The 'S' minmark is positioned at the bottom under the ribbon.
Book Reference
1908-S Cent Production: This cent is important as being the first minor coinage struck at a branch mint. The San Francisco Mint, nicknamed The Granite Lady, was built in 1874 and had survived the great earthquake of the morning of April 18, 1906, with just slight damage. The fire that raged on all sides of the building later on that day blackened the stone and buckled the heavy iron shutters. The fire destroyed most of the city, but the mint was spared destruction because it had its own well that firefighters could tap into.
In years prior to the earthquake and subsequent economic hardships, gold and silver coins were the only coinage used in the Western states. Transactions were rounded to the nearest 5¢. Now, due to changes in the economy (brought on in part by the relative ease of railroad travel from the East), it was desirable to have the cent denomination available so that prices could be increased in smaller increments. The introduction of a sales tax alone necessitated the use of the cent. In addition, the streetcar fare was raised from 5¢ to 6¢.
The Mint delivered the entire mintage of coins on November 27. These were struck on presses used for silver coinage, as the two presses for cent production were not yet delivered. This is the third-lowest mintage of the Indian Head cent series. Planchet stock for this year was often improperly mixed, so the coins vary with either woodgrain toning or a bright golden color.
Survivability: The new cents were certainly a curiosity to the local population, and initially circulated widely. Later, by the time the new Lincoln design became dominant, the general public selectively removed the Indian Head cents from circulation. There seems to have been no initial interest in saving these coins before they entered circulation. Today, the coins are scarce in low grades, but available in mid-range grades, most being Fine to Very Fine. Mint State survivors are very scarce overall. The chance survival of a few roll quantities has made gem full red examples somewhat readily available. Many of these come from a roll that had a filled final A in AMERICA on the obverse.
Collecting Challenges: These cents are scarce and popular, so demand is high. Many come with weak feather tips. Search for fully struck examples.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50 to AU-58. There is not a great difference in prices between coins graded Good to Very Fine. For collectors on a budget it is worthwhile to buy the highest grade with the price jumping less than 50%. For example, a Fine coin lists for $85, a Very Fine at $100, and an Extremely Fine at $150. The extra $15 to buy the Very Fine will give you a lot more value for the money than would the extra $50 to buy the Extremely Fine. On the other hand, the best advice is always to buy the best coin you can afford that fits your collection.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RB or MS-64RD. It might be diffcult to find coins with full feather tips. Take extra time to search these out. These come with woodgrain toning, which is acceptable for red-brown graded coins. Full red coins should be struck on evenly colored planchets. Many full red coins are of a lighter golden color. Some original coins might easily be mistaken as being cleaned if compared to their Philadelphia Mint contemporaries. Occasionally prooflike examples are available. These are highly desired and are worth an additional premium.
VARIETIES:
A repunched mintmark, Snow-1, is known for this date. The repunching is to the south and is visible in the upper part of the S. Many other repunched dates have been reported but all others have turned out to be caused by strike doubling. When the lower die (anvil die) is loose in the press it can move slightly when the coin is struck. This action leaves a microscopic outline on the design elements in one direction. (The clue to detecting strike 1908-S, S Over S, Snow-1 doubling: the doubling is seen on the mintmark as well as on some of the surrounding design elements. Since the mintmark is added to the die separately from the design element, it cannot be a repunched mintmark.)
Catalog Information
GSID:
1461
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1908
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
ONE CENT, S
Weight (gr):
3.11 gr
Weight (oz):
0.11 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1908-S
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
1,115,000
Coinage Type:
Indian Head Cent
Coinage Years:
1864-1909
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2232
Send Catalog Feedback
To: editor@greysheet.com
Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1908-S 1c MS BN
Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1908-s-united-states-indian-cent-brown-surfaces/gsid/1461 GSID: 1461 Title: 1908-S 1c MS BN
Subscribe to View
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Coin Value History
1908-S 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1908-S 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 |
|
$1,950 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,550 | $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
1908-S 1C AU50 PCGS. CDN: $170 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$220
1908-S 1C MS63 Brown PCGS. CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$427
1908-S 1C VF30 Brown NGC. CDN: $105 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF30. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$129
1908-S 1C MS62 Brown PCGS. CDN: $285 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$312
1908-S 1C VG8 ANACS. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$84
1908-S 1C XF45 Brown NGC. Mintage 1,115,000....
$129
1908-S 1C VF35 PCGS. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$104
1908-S 1C -- Scratched -- ANACS. AU53 Details. Mintage 1,115,000....
$149
1908-S 1C VF20 PCGS. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$89
1908-S 1C VF25 Brown NGC. Mintage 1,115,000....
$94
1908-S 1C -- Environmental Damage -- NCS. XF Details. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$104
1908-S 1C AU58 PCGS. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$336
1908-S 1C Fine 15 PCGS. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$74
1908-S 1C AU55 PCGS. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$288
1908-S/S 1C MS61 Brown ANACS. Mintage 1,115,000....
$432
1908-S 1C Fine 12 CACG. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$99
1908-S 1C VG10 CACG. Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$84
1908-S 1C MS64 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (100/32). Mintage 1,115,000. ...
$600
1908-S 1C MS65 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (26/4). PCGS Population: (16/0). CDN: $850 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 1,11...
$1,140
1908-S 1C -- Recolored -- ANACS. MS60 Details. Mintage 1,115,000....
$288
Greysheet News
Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading
8/8/2024
American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago
Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
7/25/2024
United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program
The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.
7/23/2024
Events
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World & Ancient Coins Wednesday & Thursday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Thursday, July 2, 2026
