Indian Head Cent (before–after)
The first small cent, the Flying Eagle, was a smash hit with the public as much for its novelty, size and design as its economic power. Its composition was partially nickel (for a while it was called a “nick”) - not the copper of the large cent. Soon, though, defects were found and once again, the villain was a familiar one: Excessively high relief. This was a Catch 22 situation; it created undoubtedly beautiful, almost sculptural, pieces but they wore quickly and slowed production. Mint Engraver James Longacre was again told to start working on a revision. He came up with several prototypes, many of which were struck (though not for circulation). There were various versions of the Flying eagle, one of Christopher Columbus, another similar to the three cent piece. He, like most Americans of that era, was fascinated with the American West and he finally conceived a design that satisfied everyone. A young Liberty (NOT a Native American) wears an Indian headdress with the word "liberty".
The public didn't care if the woman was or was not an actual Indian woman. They wholeheartedly accepted the design as a genuine piece of Americana. It was such a huge hit with the public that it has been called the most beloved coin in the history of the United States. It symbolically united East and West, states and territories, past and future and seemed to herald the American Coming of Age. It was such a fixture than when the Lincoln cent was proposed, the New York Times pontificated (shades of today) that it was outrageous to even consider such a design change from the beloved Indian Head. The fact that Lincoln was also a Republican probably had something to do with their opposition.
The first year's production (1859) did not feature the shield which has appeared on so many of our coins. The Director of the Mint obtained permission to add a small shield on the reverse the next year. In the first five years, the coin was composed of a copper/nickel compound. In 1865, tin and zinc were introduced (producing a "bronze" coin). Three distinct "types" are required for the Collection.
Type I (1859) has no shield and was minted one year only. Type II (1860-1864) added a shield on the reverse. It was minted for five years. Type III (1865-1909) was made of copper with other elements creating a "bronze" look and giving rise to the old "red cent" phrase. It was minted 34 years. Despite the fact that the series was to have ended before 1909 (the fifty year rule), both Indian head and Lincoln cents were produced that year.
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