A little shield was also included as part of the new design. Instead of the initial laurel leaves, the new penny featured an oak wreath with arrows tied at the bottom. In 1860, two years after the Indian head penny’s flagship production, Mint director James Snowden changed the reverse design. The Reverse of the 1898 Indian Head Penny The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are etched around the coin while the date, 1898, appears at the bottom of the truncated Lady Liberty portrait. A band with the words LIBERTY is tied around the lady’s head. Besides, in 1858 when the Indian head penny was first minted, Sarah was already a 30-year-old married lady and not a 12-year-old girl as is told in common legend.Īll in all, the portrait on the Indian head penny definitely portrays the features of a Caucasian woman wearing a Native American male’s headdress. However, Longacre discounted this story, noting that the image of Lady Liberty was based on the Crouching Venus statute in Philadelphia. The story goes that one day, while visiting the Mint where her father worked, Sarah wore the headdress of a Native American male who was also visiting, and her father drew her image.

The obverse of the 1898 Indian head penny features a right-facing Lady Liberty wearing Native American headgear.Īccording to popular legend, Lady Liberty’s facial features were based on Sarah, Longacre’s daughter. The Obverse of 1898 Indian Head Penny Image: coinvalues Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin, and Zinc.Reverse designer: James Barton Longacre.Obverse designer: James Barton Longacre.I898 No Mint mark Proof Indian Head Penny Red I898 No Mint mark Proof Indian Head Penny Brown Red I898 No Mint mark Proof Indian Head Penny Brown I898 No Mint mark Indian Head Penny Brown Red I898 No Mint mark Indian Head Penny Brown You’ll find out about the features to look for that could increase the value of your Indian head penny and errors that could be worth lots of money. Read on to discover more about the 1898 Indian head penny value. Finding an 1898 Indian head penny in good condition is not easy, but if you are lucky enough to spot one, it could be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars! The value of a penny will depend on its condition and color. The Indian head penny is not only aesthetically appealing, but it is also historically significant. 1898 P No Mintmark Indian Head Penny Value.1898 Indian Head Penny Value and Varieties Guides.

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