1904 Indian Head Penny Value: Worth a "D", "S", and No Mints? (2023)

There were not enough 1904 cent coins in circulation this century, but this made them all the more sought after. While there are some 1904 Indian heads available to collectors, top quality heads are much rarer.

Deciphering the difference between plain 1904 Indian cents and potential wealth-creating coins takes skill. Here you will learn about errors, varieties, prices and answers to your questions.

Detail of Indian head penny from 1904

• Category: Indian Head
• Mint: Philadelphia
• Circulation: 61,326,198
• Watch Designer: James Barton Longacre
• Negative designer: James Barton Longacre
• Edge: Plains
• Dollar value: $3.00 and up
• Melt Value: $0.0269
• Composition: 95% Copper, 2.5% Zinc and 2.5% Tin
• Diameter: 19mm
• Fineness: 0.95
• Weight: 3.11g
• ASW: 0.1097 oz

Identification of the original 1904 Indian Head One Cent includes both physical and scientific characteristics. The obverse (top) of this coin depicts a young lady, Liberty, wearing the traditional red Indian leaf headdress, hence the name - Indian Head.

The head is carved to the left, a string of pearls surrounds the neck, and the word "LIBERTY" is inscribed at the base of the crown. Engraved "UNITED STATES" on the left side of the edge, "AMERICA" on the other end, and 1904 on the bottom.

Looking closely at the back of her head, the letter "L" in the hair stands for the designer,Signed by James B. Longacre.

The words "ONE CENT" are prominently engraved in the center of the obverse of the coin, with the former above the latter. It is heralded by a garland of oak branches, three arrows tied with ribbons at the base and a shield at the top.

The coin has ridges around the edges on both sides, adding to its beauty.

Unlike many other coins, the head on the 1904 Indian cent is made of French bronze—95 percent copper mixed with the remaining 5 percent in equal parts zinc and tin. The coin is 19.05mm wide and weighs 3.11 grams.

Below is a brief summary detailing the main features of the 1904 Indian Head coin.

Also read:The 20 Most Valuable Ancient Coins (Penny Collection)

1904 Indian head count table

1904 Guide to Indian Head Values ​​and Breeds

Numismatics (studying/collecting coins) and the 1904 Indian Head coin have different numismatic values ​​due to polarized interests. Every element of a coin contributes to its market value, from physical design to bugs and usability. See the table above for a summary.

Many people are familiar with the 1904 Indian Head copper penny, but other die varieties were created intentionally or unintentionally. Mistakes occur when a basic step required to produce a coin goes wrong, such as moving the master to a damaged die.

The following list details the 1904 Indian Head penny.

1904 Indian Head RPD Price

• Type: Indian head
• Edge: Plains
• Mint: None
• Clipping Location: Philadelphia
• Year of release: 1904
• Face value: one penny
• Dollar value: $3.30 or more
• Production Quantity: Not Specified
• Designer: James B. Longacre

The 1904 Indian Head coin uses an impressive technique in which a device pierces a slab (blank slate) to engrave words and numbers. However, some tracks give errors such asRPD, re-drill.

His secondary designs focused on the southeastern end of the facade until 90 in 1904.

Therefore, the "4" in his "1904" is wider at the top than the other numbers. It is also one of the Indian pennies produced in large numbers, without mint marks, in circulation strikes.

1904 Native American Head Proves Worth

• Type: Evidence
• Wipe: mat
• Mintmark: "p" (sometimes)
• Clipping Location: Philadelphia
• Year of release: 1904
• Composition: 95% Copper, 2.5% Zinc and 2.5% Tin
• Diameter: 19mm
• Time: 3.11 grams
• Thickness: 1mm
• Face Value: $0.01 | One Cent
• Price in USD: $1,920 - $29,900
• Production Quantity: 1,817
• Designer: James B. Longacre

The 1904 Indian Head Proof coin is of the highest quality with a clean look and clear detail. Unlike regular mass-produced coins, Indian Head coins are individually proofed.

The articles are available in three colors matte, mirror and vice versa.

1904 Fine Penny Mirror Indian Head

• Type: Indian head
• Edge: Plains
• Mintmark: None
• Clipping Location: Philadelphia
• Year of release: 1904
• Composition: 95% Copper, 2.5% Zinc and 2.5% Tin
• Diameter: 19mm
• Time: 3.11 grams
• Thickness: 1g
• Face value: one penny
• Price in USD: $39.95
• Production Quantity: Not Specified
• Designer: James B. Longacre

The 1904 Indian Head Pennie has a reflective finish and is made with frosted equipment, hence the name. Its mirror finish gives the coin a lustrous finish, known by the layman as "eye candy".

1904. Indian Principal Check

• Type: Indian head
• Rub: ravani
• Mintmark: None
• Clipping Location: Philadelphia
• Year of release: 1904
• Composition: 95% Copper, 2.5% Zinc and 2.5% Tin
• Diameter: 19mm
• Time: 3.11 grams
• Thickness: 1mm
• Face Value: $0.01 | One Cent
• Price in USD: $3.30
• Production Quantity: Not Specified
• Designer: James B. Longacre

The 1904 Indian Head Penny is a combination of matte field and mirror finish, made using a unique rolling technique. Instead of striking designs like mass-produced coins, Reverse proof strikes them into stainless steel balls.

This process transfers the shine to the surface of the coin before the excess is washed away and leaves a reflective appearance. After the liquid dries, the counters are polished with a soft horsehair brush to the rest of the matrix before the glazing process.

Partial glazes follow two techniques - manual or computerized. The older technique involves applying an acid wash to the coins, while the digital style uses a computerized laser machine to create the icing.

Note that digital distressed coins have a longer lasting luster than acid etched designs.

Also read:15 Most Valuable Indian Headshots Worth Money

1904. History of Heads in India

The United States printed Indian pennies on coins in 1859 and did not adopt this design until 1909. James Barton Longacre, then chief engraver at the Philadelphia Mint, designed the obverse and reverse of the coin.

The legend surrounding the Indian head penny designIt is said that Longacre had his daughter Sarah as a muse, while others believed her to be an Indian princess. Longacre was the first person to put his initials in his hair1864.

The 1904 Indian Head Penny is popular with collectors because it marks the beginning of the end for the design. The Statue of Liberty on the 1904 penny is an updated version of that character.

Throughout its run, the Philadelphia Mint ensured that the 1904 Indian Head coin was flawless. Longacre ensures that each piece is meticulously crafted, from the scalloped edges to the smooth, unadorned hem and engraved graphics on the front and back.

However, there is an error noted in the Cherry Picker's Guide that makes it the rarest coin variety. Other minor errors occurred due to the technique used to mint the 1904 Indian Head penny.

From shifting plates that cause misses to excess mold on the finish, there are some interesting parts to the 1904 Indian Head Penny. Unfortunately, this beauty didn't last long, as Congress began a campaign to demand thinner and newer coins.

This caused the 1904 Indian Penny to be phased out as production was reduced to accommodate the new edition. As the design is phased out, parts of it become collectibles to preserve the story.

There is no single price for all 1904 Indian Head coins, as their characteristics vary by color and quality. Scroll down to view scoring guidelines.

1904 Indian Head Sheet Music

Each variety of the 1904 Indian Head has a different value based on its rarity and demand. Some coins have mint marks, while others have color gradations from red (RD) to reddish brown (RB) and brown (BN).

Ratings range from good (0) to severe (70), with 0 being the lowest and 70 being the highest.

1904 Indian Head Penny Error List

Machines aren't infallible, so what appeared to be a perfect 1904 Indian head coin produced some erroneous coins. There aren't as many of these erroneous coins as there are others. They do exist, however, which is why they are so sought after in numismatics.

Some common mistakes include misnomers, overlapping engravings, duplicate molds, and broken syringes. You'll need a magnifying glass, a coin microscope, or a jewelry lens to spot some mistakes.

These failures led to the discontinuation of production in 1904, but today they are collectibles.

See what you'll find on the 1904 Indian Head Penny.

1. 1904 Indian Head Penny RPD FS-301 Error

Defects FS-301, the Indian Head coin, was first discovered within 30 days of production. These coins were hit incorrectly due to the misphasing of the coin pair as the center strike moved. This results in the two-digit date numbers 9, 0 and 4.

After the discovery, the mint withdrew the coins and recorded their existence in a book, which was then repunched with the correct details.

On the coin wrap, you'll see "RPD" referring to the fold date, while the engraving FS-301 indicates a 1904 misfold.

2. 1904 Indian head penny wrong off center

1904 Indian head pennies produced by unfixed dies lead to a failed strike. Therefore, the production of coin dolls is not perfect. Instead, it was minted in portions of smaller coins due to the off-center initial strike.

1904 Indian Head Penny FAQ

How much was an Indian penny worth in 1904?

At face value, the 1904 Indian Head coin is worth 1 cent ($0.01), but its monetary value varies depending on the characteristics of each coin. The average value of a 1904 Indian head piece was $3.30, but rare coins sold at auction for tens of thousands of dollars.

Mint State 1904 Indian Head Red Penny sold August 2019Heritage AuctionPriced at $33,600. It holds the record for the highest realized value for such a coin.

Is the Indian penny happy?

Indian Head Pennies are rare coins and since they were phased out in 1909, they are considered lucky. Additionally, the Statue of Liberty on the front symbolizes the good fortune of the native Indians who lived in the American territories before Christopher Columbus's expedition.

What are 1900 Indian heads?

The 1900 Indian Head Coin is a Mixed1890-ihDesign and short run of 1,900 pieces, ending in 1909. Because of its rarity and intricate design, each Indian Head dime is worth more than its face value.

What is the most valuable Indian penny?

this1877 Indian Head PennyThe most valuable of these coins, it sells for an average of $1,000 to $1,200 each, with an uncirculated piece valued at $42,000 to $5,000. You can buy a fine or very fine 1877 Indian Head coin for anywhere from $1,700 to $2,200.

Excellent (EF) to Almost Uncirculated (AU) can fetch $2,700 to $3,400.