Copper Indian Head Cents
March 25th, 2009
The Copper Indian Head Cent was the first composition of the Indian Cent series. The composition was actually composed of 88% copper and 12% nickel, the same composition used for the prior Flying Eagle Cents. The composition was used for the first five years of the new Indian Head Cent series before changing to the bronze composition which would remain in use for nearly one hundred years. The composition was changed since the copper-nickel based version proved to be hard and difficult to strike.
Copper Indian Head Cent Coin Specifications
| Dates: | 1859-1864 |
| Mints: | Philadelphia |
| Composition: | 88% copper |
| 12% nickel | |
| Weight: | 4.67 grams |
| 0.15 ounces | |
| Diameter: | 19.30 mm |
| 0.76 inches |