1885 United States Cent Value

Depending on how well it survived, a 1885 United States Cent brings anywhere from its melt value to well into four figures. Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.

1885COINCOIN
Illustrative rendering. Photographs of this date are being added.

1885 United States Cent value by grade

1885 United States Cent value by grade
GradeEstimated value

Estimated retail range. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.

What is a 1885 United States Cent worth right now?

Pricing for the 1885 United States Cent depends on grade and current collector demand.

1885 United States Cent specifications

Series
United States Coinage
Year
1885
Mint mark
None (Philadelphia)
Mintage
Not recorded
Composition
Bronze

Why this coin has no mint mark

The 1885 United States Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mint mark in this era. If you find no letter where branch-mint coins carry one (check the usual position for this series), you are holding a Philadelphia issue.

Where this coin's value comes from

Documented examples of the 1885 United States Cent in our reference database anchor what we know about this issue. Mintage records are incomplete, so collector demand and surviving population drive its market.

There is history in a 1885 United States Coinage as well. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.

1885 United States Cent inscriptions & design

Obverse

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1885

Liberty head, Indian headdress

Reverse

ONE CENT

wreath, shield

Measured 1885 United States Cent specimens

2 physically measured 1885 United States Cent examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the g, mm minting standard.

Measured 1885 United States Cent specimens
SpecimenWeightDiameterDie axisReferences
1885 United States Cent #1---Breen.2007
1885 United States Cent #2---Breen.2007

Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.