1863 Indian Head Cent Value
A 1863 Indian Head Cent is worth roughly $0.10 to $38.00 depending on its condition, and its metal content alone is worth $0.03 as of 2026-06-01 Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
1863 Indian Head Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.03 |
| Good (G-4) | $0.10 to $0.15 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $0.10 to $0.20 |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.20 to $0.35 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $0.40 to $0.70 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $0.80 to $1.35 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $1.60 to $2.70 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $3.20 to $5.40 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $7.20 to $12.00 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $22.50 to $38.00 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
How much is a 1863 Indian Head Cent worth today?
Figure roughly $0.10 as the realistic floor for a damage-free, well-worn 1863 Indian Head Cent, rising steadily through the grades to about $38.00 for a certified gem. Cleaned or damaged coins trade below these figures, though never below the $0.03 melt floor.
1863 Indian Head Cent specifications
- Series
- Indian Head Cent
- Year
- 1863
- Mint mark
- None (Philadelphia)
- Mintage
- Not recorded
- Composition
- Copper-nickel (1859-1864), then 95% copper bronze
- Weight
- 3.11 g
- Diameter
- 19.05 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- James Barton Longacre
Why this coin has no mint mark
Philadelphia struck the 1863 Indian Head Cent, and Philadelphia coins of this period carry no mint mark at all. An empty space at the usual mint mark position (On the reverse, below the wreath (only 1908-S and 1909-S carry a mint mark)) confirms a Philadelphia strike, not a flaw.
Why the 1863 Indian Head Cent is worth money
Official mintage figures for the 1863 Indian Head Cent are not well established. The museum-documented specimens behind our specifications provide the physical reference points for the issue, and the market prices it on observed scarcity.
Despite the name, the portrait is Liberty in a feathered war bonnet, not a Native American sitter. For the 1863 Indian Head Cent, the enduring popularity of the series translates directly into buyers in every grade and every market cycle.
1863 Indian Head Cent inscriptions & design
Obverse
UNITED STATED OF AMERICA
Liberty head with Indian head dress, facing left
Reverse
none
"ONE CENT" within wreath, shield at top
Measured 1863 Indian Head Cent specimens
1 physically measured 1863 Indian Head Cent example in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 3.11 g, 19.05 mm minting standard.
| Specimen | Weight | Diameter | Die axis | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1863 Indian Head Cent #1 | 5.148 g | - | 6 h | - |
Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.
Summary: the 1863 Indian Head Cent is valued between $0.10 and $38.00 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.