1908-S Indian Head Cent Value
A 1908-S Indian Head Cent is worth roughly $1.75 to $567 depending on its condition. Its intrinsic melt value stands at $0.03 based on spot prices from 2026-06-01 Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
1908-S Indian Head Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.03 |
| Good (G-4) | $1.75 to $2.95 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $2.55 to $4.30 |
| Fine (F-12) | $4.40 to $7.45 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $8.00 to $13.50 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $14.50 to $24.50 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $28.00 to $47.50 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $56.00 to $94.50 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $112 to $189 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $336 to $567 |
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 1908-S Indian Head Cent worth today?
Start with $1.75 for a heavily circulated 1908-S Indian Head Cent and work upward. Lightly circulated 1908 examples occupy the middle of the range, while true gems approach $567. If your coin has no wear on the high points, it deserves a closer look or a professional opinion.
1908-S Indian Head Cent specifications
- Series
- Indian Head Cent
- Year
- 1908
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 1,115,000
- Composition
- Copper-nickel (1859-1864), then 95% copper bronze
- Weight
- 3.11 g
- Diameter
- 19.05 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- James Barton Longacre
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Identifying the San Francisco mint mark
Flip your 1908 Indian Head Cent over and locate the "S". On the reverse, below the wreath (only 1908-S and 1909-S carry a mint mark) That single letter separates the San Francisco issue from its siblings and can move the price substantially.
The value drivers behind this coin
The mintage of 1,115,000 puts the 1908-S Indian Head Cent among the scarcer issues of its series. It is findable, but nice examples take patience, and the market prices that difficulty in.
There is history in a 1908 Indian Head Cent as well. James Longacre's Indian Head cent served America for fifty years, from the eve of the Civil War to the dawn of the Lincoln cent. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
Summary: the 1908-S Indian Head Cent is valued between $1.75 and $567 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.