The Indian head pennies were made from 1859 to 1909 and then replaced with Lincoln pennies. The 1889 is part of the Indian Head pennies series, but as compared to other pennies, these are somewhat rare and high-value coins. The coins of these designs were made by James B. Longacre and are known as iconic coins. Here we will go over details and features for 1889 Indian Head pennies and related features. So let’s get started with the 1889 Indian Head Penny value.
1889 Indian Head Penny Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | Proof |
| 1889 No Mint Mark Indian Head Penny | $5.00 | $5.84 | $27.00 | Upto 400$ | $292.00 |
1889 No Mint Mark Indian Head Penny Value
The 1889 pennies made by the Philadelphia Mint, about 48,869,361, is the largest mintage in the USA coin series. The 1889 Indian Head pennies without the mint marks are common for all Indian Head pennies. These coins were only made by the Philadelphia Mint, and no other D or S Mint made these coins. These coins come in different grades and different value ranges.
The low 1889 pennies without mint marks are less valuable and can be about 2 dollars for high grades, which are high-value coins.
Good conditions 1889 coins are about 3.5 dollars for fine-grade coins, which are about seven dollars, and extremely fine-grade, not mint, are 21 to 27 dollars.
Uncirculated condition coins are about 400 dollars or higher for different grades, and lower uncirculated grade coins are about 100 dollars.
High-grade coins like MS66 can be about 1300 dollars or higher at auction; uncirculated coins sold for 17000 dollars.
1889 Proof Indian Head Penny Value
The Philadelphia mint with normal strike 1889 pennies also made some proof of 1889 Indian head pennies. There were about 3,336 proof 1889 Indian head pennies made. These coins are made with the use of a special type of planchet that makes these coins have a mirror-like finish and are preferred by collectors.
Since these coins have low mintage and a very small number of these coins found, they can have a value ranging from 275 to 9000 dollars according to conditions.
1889 Indian Head Penny History of the
The Indian head pennies are very important coins in USA coinage history. These coins were made at the time of the Civil War and spread the heritage of the country and increased the economy. At the start, copper cents were made as half a dollar size. Then with increases in the prices of copper, there were some replacements used. In 1857, changes were made in cent size and composition, and new coins had flying eagles made. But its creation was difficult, then replaced with Indian head pennies used from 1957 to 1958, and in 1959 Indian head pennies were made.
The design of these coins was made by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. After a year of production, the changes made in Indian cent pennies were from 88 percent copper and 12 percent nickel to 95 percent copper and five percent tin and zinc. It is due to the hoarding of copper at the time of the Civil War. Only the Philadelphia Mint made Indian head pennies from 1859 to 1997 that replaced Lincoln pennies.
1889 Indian Head Penny Error
Double Die Reverse Error
The 1889 no-mint mark pennies come with a double die reverse error where the doubling effect can be seen in photos and words written. This error occurs during the coin minting process. The 1889 Indian penny with DDR can have a value of about 190 dollars or higher for good conditions.
Misaligned Die Clash Error
This error occurred in 1889 in Indian Head pennies when die striking front or reverse of coins was not configured accurately and made misaligned components of the coins’ surface. 1C Misaligned Die Clash error coins are rare and high and sold for 400 dollars in auction.
Re-Punched Date Error
This error occurs when a repunched date is on coins. The 1889 re-punched date error coins come with double printing of the date on the coins. It can be seen with a microscope, and there is a small date mark over the minting date. It is a high-value coin and liked by collectors.
Die gouge error
This type of error on coins occurs when a faulty die is used. If the die used is faulty, it causes a raised part on the coins corresponding to a gouge on the surface of the die.
Features of 1889 Indian head pennies
The obverse of the 1889 Indian Head penny
The front side of coins comes with a photo of Lady Liberty and wheat ears. The country name, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, is written in two parts on this side. The minting date is also written on this side.
Reverse of 1889 Indian head pennies
The backside of coins comes with larger wheat-eared wreath corn, and in the middle of coins, the ONE CENT denomination is written.
Some other features of 1889 Indian Head pennies are.
- It has a plain edge, and the diameter is about 19 mm with a thickness of one mm.
- its composition is 95% copper, 5% tin, and zinc
- Its weight is 3.11 grams.
1889 indian head pennies Grading
| Number | Grade | Details |
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
lowest grade
|
| 2 | Fair |
High wear,
|
| 3 | Very Fair |
Slightly better but still heavily worn.
|
| 4, 5, 2006 | Good |
Worn details but recognizable design;
|
| 7, 8, 10 | Very Good |
Well-worn having clear outline
|
| 12, 15 | Fine |
Moderate wear,
|
| 20, 30 | Very Fine |
Light to moderate wear;
|
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
Slight wear on high points
|
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
Very slight wear
|
| 60 | Mint State |
Uncirculated; no wear,
|
| 65 | Mint State |
Choice uncirculated;
|
| 70 | Mint State |
Perfect coin
|
Most valueable Indian Head Pennies
| Indian head pennies | Value | Condition |
| 1864 Indian Head Penny with “L” on Ribbon | $500 | MS63 |
| 1866 | 320 | MS63 |
| 1867 | $350 | MS63 |
| 1868 | $325 | MS63 |
| 1869 | $650 | MS63 |
| 1870 | $775 | MS63 |
| 1871 | $700 | MS63 |
| 1872 | $1,000 | MS63 |
| 1873 Doubled Liberty Indian Head Penny | $12,000 | MS63 |
| 1877 | $4,000 | MS63 |
| 1878 | $320 | MS63 |
| 1888 Over 7 Indian Head Penny | upto $45,000 | MS63 |
| 1894 Doubled Date Indian Head Penny | $500 | MS63 |
| 1908-S Indian Head Penny | $70 to $325 | MS63 |
| 1909-S Indian Head Penny | $365 to $1,000 | MS63 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an 1889 Indian Head penny worth?
The conditions define coin value as a value of about three dollars for good conditions. Fin conditions are about 4 dollars, and XF grades are up to 30 dollars. In action, these coins sold for 17,000 dollars.
Does the 1889 Indian Head penny have a mint mark?
The 1889 Indian pennies made only from Philadelphia that do not use a mint mark do not have a mint mark. The S and D mint not made Indian pennies that use mint marks.
What year are Indian Head Pennies valuable?
There were 852,500 1887 Indian Head pennies made that making these coins rare and high-value coins in this Indian Head series.
What is the key date of the Indian Head Pennies?
Should we clean the 1889 Indian Head Penny?
Never clean 1889 Indian Head pennies; that will affect their value. The coins that have a clean look will have a lower value than rough-condition coins. If needed to wash clean, use a soft cloth or dish soap for cleaning, but better is to leave it as it is; that makes it a high-value coin in real look.
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