1871 Indian Head Penny Value: No Mint Mark (Updated 2026)

🔍 Shallow N Self-Checker: Do You Have the Valuable Variety?

The Shallow N is the more prized variety of the 1871 Indian Head cent and commands higher prices across every grade. Use this checker to determine which reverse your coin carries.

1871 Indian Head Penny obverse and reverse, showing primary coin features and overall condition

1871 Indian Head Penny comparison: Shallow N reverse (left) vs Bold N reverse (right), showing the N depth difference in ONE CENT

🔵 Common: Bold N Reverse

Letter N in ONE and CENT stands tall and prominent
The N does not blend into the coin's background field
Letter E has triangular "trumpet" or horn-shaped serifs
Smaller notches visible between letter strokes
Used as the standard hub for all later Indian Head cents

🏆 Scarce: Shallow N Reverse

Letter N in ONE and CENT appears sunken, almost blending with field
N looks 3-dimensionally shallow — nearly at field level
Letter E has straight, flat "T"-shaped serifs (not trumpets)
Larger notches between letter strokes than Bold N type
Struck from an older hub used only on early 1870s issues

Check the boxes that match your coin's reverse:

The N in "ONE" appears sunken or shallow, nearly flush with the background field.
The N in "CENT" also looks shallow or flat — not bold and proud.
The letter E in "ONE" and "CENT" has straight, flat serifs (not curved trumpet-horns).
The notches between letter strokes look larger/deeper than typical Indian Head cents.

✏️ Describe Your Coin for a Detailed Assessment

Tell us what you observe and our analyzer will identify the most likely variety and value range.

Mention these things if you can

How does the N in "ONE CENT" look? (shallow/sunken or bold/raised?)
Overall condition (worn, circulated, uncirculated?)
Color of the copper (brown, reddish-brown, or original red?)
Any doubling on the date digits visible under a loupe?
Any ghost digits visible in the denticles below the date?

Also helpful

Is LIBERTY clearly readable on the headdress band?
Are the feather tips sharp and separated?
Any die cracks or cud breaks visible on the rim?
Has the coin been cleaned, polished, or altered?
Any PCGS or NGC slab present with grade?

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Step 1 of 3 — Select Variety (Reverse Type)

Step 2 of 3 — Select Condition

Step 3 of 3 — Any Notable Errors? (Select all that apply)

Repunched Date (RPD) — ghost digits visible under 10× loupe
Misplaced Date (MPD) — digit traces in the denticles below date
Cud Die Break — raised blob on rim where die chipped
No errors / None of the above

If you're not yet sure about your coin's variety or condition, there's a 1871 Indian Head Penny Coin Value Checker online tool that lets you upload a photo for an AI-powered identification before you run the numbers here.

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🔍 Shallow N Self-Checker 🔢 Value Calculator ✏️ Describe Your Coin 📊 Value Chart at a Glance ⚠️ Errors Guide 🏭 Mintage & Survival 🔬 How to Grade 💰 Where to Sell

⚠️ The Valuable 1871 Indian Head Penny Errors (Complete Guide)

The 1871 Indian Head cent offers collectors several recognized die varieties catalogued in the Snow reference. Each variety below has unique diagnostics that can be confirmed with a 10× loupe. Study these carefully — some command meaningful premiums even in circulated grades, while others are primarily of interest to specialists pursuing Gem Mint State examples.

Shallow N Reverse

MOST FAMOUS

$130 – $1,243+ Valuable

The Shallow N variety resulted from the use of an older reverse die hub that produced the letter N in "ONE CENT" in shallower relief than the hub that would later become standard. This hub was a transitional carryover from earlier in the Indian Head cent series and was used on a portion of the 1871 Philadelphia production.

To identify it, examine the N in ONE and the N in CENT under magnification. On the Shallow N, each N appears to sink into the background field rather than standing proudly above it. The letter E on the same reverse die has flat, straight "T"-shaped horizontal serifs rather than the curved "trumpet" or horn-shaped serifs found on the Bold N hub.

Collectors prize the Shallow N because it represents the rarer hub type for this date. In side-by-side comparison sales and auction results, Shallow N specimens consistently outperform their Bold N counterparts by 15–25% at equivalent grades, and the premium widens significantly in high Mint State grades where population reports are thinner.

How to spot it Under 10× magnification, check the N in "ONE" — if it looks almost level with the background and the cross-strokes of the E are straight and horizontal (not curved), you have the Shallow N hub.

Mint mark Philadelphia only — no mint mark appears on this coin.

Notable Catalogued as Snow-4 and Snow-5 (two distinct Shallow N reverse dies). The 1871 Shallow N is referenced as one of two hub types for this year; confirmed via the Snow Indian Head cent reference guide and PCGS population data.

Bold N Reverse

MOST COMMON

$70 – $858+ Collectible

The Bold N variety represents the newer reverse die hub that would become the standard for all subsequent Indian Head cents through 1909. The hub produced a distinctly three-dimensional N in both "ONE" and "CENT" that stands proud above the coin's background field without sinking.

Visually, the Bold N is identified by the prominent, raised letter N in ONE and CENT, and by the curved triangular "trumpet" serifs on the letter E in the same words. These serifs curve outward at the ends rather than meeting the stem at a straight right angle. The letter notches between strokes are also noticeably smaller than on the Shallow N hub.

While the Bold N is more common than the Shallow N, it is absolutely not a coin to dismiss. An 1871 Bold N in Gem MS-63 Brown represents a significant collecting achievement, and AU examples still command $500–$700 at competitive auction venues. The Bold N hub also encompasses die varieties Snow-1a through Snow-1d as catalogued by Chris Pilliod.

How to spot it Under a loupe, the N in ONE should stand visibly raised above the coin's background field, and the E serifs should look curved or trumpet-shaped — like small horns flaring outward from the stem tip.

Mint mark Philadelphia only — no mint mark on 1871 Indian Head cents.

Notable Bold N die varieties include Snow-1a (PUN-001, attributed to Chris Pilliod), Snow-1b (ODD-001/PUN-002), Snow-1c (PUN-003), and Snow-1d (PUN-004). Multiple obverse dies pair with the Bold N reverse hub.

Repunched Date (RPD-001 / Snow-2)

BEST KEPT SECRET

$90 – $400+ Collectible

The Repunched Date variety (RPD-001, cross-referenced as Snow-2 and attributed to Walter Breen) results from the mint workman punching the date digits into the die in one position, then repunching them at a slightly different angle or position. The first punch left a faint ghost impression that remained visible beneath the primary numerals after the die was finished and placed into service.

Under a 10× loupe, look for traces of an earlier digit impression showing beneath or beside one or more of the primary 1871 numerals. The ghost typically appears as a partial outline or shadow of a number peeking out from behind the final digit position. The effect is most noticeable under raking sidelight that emphasizes depth.

RPD varieties occupy a sweet spot for collectors: they are identifiable with a basic loupe yet overlooked by many casual buyers, meaning circulated examples can sometimes be acquired at near-normal prices. Attributed examples in PCGS or NGC holders confirming the RPD designation trade at a premium over unattributed coins of the same grade.

How to spot it With a 10× loupe, check below and around each primary date digit for ghost outlines or shadow impressions of an earlier punch. The repunching is most visible on the 1 and 8 digits under raking light.

Mint mark Philadelphia only — this variety is a die-preparation characteristic unique to the Philadelphia Mint.

Notable Attributed to Walter Breen and cross-referenced as Snow-2 in the Snow Indian Head cent reference. Classified as RPD-001 in the indianvarieties.com die catalog. Attribution adds collector premium to slabbed examples.

Misplaced Date (MPD-001 / Snow-5)

RAREST VARIETY

$100 – $500+ Rare

The Misplaced Date variety (MPD-001) occurs when the hub or date punch was positioned too low during die preparation, inadvertently driving part of a digit's impression into the denticle area below where the date would ultimately be placed. The misplaced impression is a permanent feature of the die and thus appears on every coin struck from that die pairing.

Attributed by Tim Cartwright and cross-referenced as Snow-5, this variety is paired with the Shallow N reverse die — meaning a coin with the MPD also displays the desirable Shallow N hub. Under magnification, search the denticle area directly below the date for a partial digit impression that does not belong in that zone of the coin's design.

The combination of MPD obverse and Shallow N reverse on the same coin makes MPD-001 the single most diagnostically interesting variety for the 1871 date. Population reports in certified holders for attributed MPD-001 examples are thin, which historically supports stronger auction realization when slabbed coins with this attribution come to market.

How to spot it Examine the denticles below the "18" portion of the date with a 10× loupe. Look for a partial digit impression — typically a curved or straight element that belongs to a numeral — sitting in the denticle row where no design element should appear.

Mint mark Philadelphia only. This die variety is listed as MPD-001, catalogued alongside Snow-5 (Shallow N reverse) as a paired obverse-reverse combination.

Notable Attributed to Tim Cartwright; cross-referenced Snow-5 in the Snow Indian Head cent reference. Always paired with the Shallow N reverse die, making this a double-premium variety for specialists. PCGS catalog designation available.

1871 Indian Head Penny CUD-001 die break showing raised cud blob at the rim area caused by a die chip

Cud Die Break (CUD-001)

MOST DRAMATIC

$80 – $350+ Collectible

A cud die break — sometimes called simply a "cud" — forms when a piece of the working die chips away at or near the rim, leaving a void in the die. Metal flows into that void during striking, creating a raised, blob-like protrusion on the coin's surface at the precise spot where the die chipped. Once a die develops a cud, every subsequent coin struck from that die carries the same feature in identical position.

The 1871 CUD-001 is attributed to Brian Greer and cross-referenced as Snow N/A, indicating it does not yet have a formal Snow reference number. The cud appears at the rim area and is visible to the naked eye as an irregular raised lump, distinguishable from a planchet flaw because it has a sharp edge on the design side where the die break terminates and a gradual slope toward the rim.

Cud die breaks appeal to a broad collector base because they are visually dramatic, verifiable without specialized equipment, and unambiguous as mint errors rather than post-mint damage. For the 1871 Indian Head cent specifically, where all varieties come from a single Philadelphia mint and overall populations are limited, a confirmed CUD-001 specimen with good eye appeal earns a premium at auction above a common-die example of the same circulated grade.

How to spot it Inspect the rim area of the coin with the naked eye or a low-power loupe. A cud appears as a smooth, raised blob or lump at the rim, often obscuring nearby lettering or denticles. The raised area will be perfectly smooth on top (no design details) and have a distinct inner edge where it meets the normal die-struck surface.

Mint mark Philadelphia only. Die breaks are specific to individual working dies and do not correlate to mint location in multi-mint series; here all 1871 cents are Philadelphia.

Notable Catalogued as CUD-001 in the indianvarieties.com die registry; attributed to Brian Greer. Cross-referenced Snow N/A — formal Snow reference number not yet assigned. The Bold N reverse design is paired with this obverse die (CUD-001, P1 designation).

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📊 1871 Indian Head Penny Value Chart at a Glance

Values below reflect current market conditions synthesized from PCGS, APMEX, USA Coin Book, and recent Heritage auction results. For a deeper illustrated complete 1871 Indian Head cent identification guide and breakdown, visit that resource before making any buying or selling decisions. Prices assume original, unaltered surfaces; cleaned or damaged coins trade at steep discounts.

Variety	Good (G-4)	Fine (F-12)	Ext. Fine (EF-40)	AU (AU-50)	MS-63 (BN)	MS-65 (RD)
⭐ Shallow N	$130–$186	$325–$376	$575–$721	$929–$1,187	$858–$1,243	$1,870+
Bold N	$70–$128	$250–$330	$475–$560	$695–$929	$695–$858	$1,530+
🔺 MPD-001 (Shallow N + misplaced date)	$100–$150	$200–$400	Premium varies	Premium varies	Specialist market	Specialist market
RPD-001 (Snow-2)	$90–$140	$200–$300	$300–$400+	Premium varies	Premium varies	Specialist market
Proof (~960 struck)	—	—	—	—	$245 PF-60+	$600–$2,500+

★ = Signature Shallow N variety (highlighted gold). 🔺 = Rarest specialist variety (highlighted red). Proof values at PF grade only. MPD and RPD premiums vary significantly by attribution and certification status.

🪙 CoinHix lets you photograph your 1871 Indian Head penny and instantly cross-reference its reverse hub type against current market comps — a coin identifier and value app.

🏭 1871 Indian Head Penny Mintage & Survival Data

Historical Philadelphia Mint facility circa 1871 or group of 1871 Indian Head Pennies showing varying grades from worn to uncirculated

Issue	Mint	Mintage	Notes
1871 Circulation Strike — Bold N	Philadelphia (P)	Majority of 3,929,500	Newer hub die; multiple obverse pairings (Snow-1a through 1d)
1871 Circulation Strike — Shallow N	Philadelphia (P)	Minority of 3,929,500	Older hub die; includes RPD and MPD die varieties
1871 Proof	Philadelphia (P)	~960	Shallow N reverse; mirror fields; struck for collectors
Total 1871 Production	Philadelphia only	3,929,500 + ~960 Proofs	No branch mint issues; one of lowest mintages 1864–1876

Composition & Specifications: 95% Copper, 5% Zinc and Tin (bronze alloy) · Weight: 3.11 g · Diameter: 19 mm · Edge: Plain · Designer: James B. Longacre (both obverse and reverse) · Series: Indian Head Cent (1859–1909) · Estimated surviving population: 5,000–6,000 wholly original examples across all grades.

🔬 How to Grade Your 1871 Indian Head Penny

Condition is everything with an 1871 cent. The difference between a Fine and an Extremely Fine example can be more than $200 on the same coin. Study the grade descriptions and the image strip below before assigning a grade.

1871 Indian Head Penny grading strip showing four condition tiers: Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, and Uncirculated, side-by-side for comparison

Worn / Good (G-4 to VG-8)

Heavy wear has flattened the design to near-outline relief. The headdress feathers merge into a smooth, undifferentiated field. The date is legible but merging with the rim. LIBERTY may be only partially readable or fully flat. The portrait outline remains distinct but all inner detail is gone. Still a collectable coin due to the low mintage — Good examples are actively sought by date-set collectors.

Circulated — Fine / VF (F-12 to VF-35)

In Fine condition, the hair lines above the ear have merged with the headband, but each individual feather on the headdress remains separated from its neighbors. All letters in LIBERTY are readable. The ribbon at the nape and the hair curl below the ear show flattening but retain outline. In Very Fine, the hair strands show additional detail and the feather separation becomes cleaner with sharper tips.

Uncirculated / AU (EF-40 to AU-58)

In Extremely Fine grade, only the highest design points show light wear — most visibly on Liberty's cheek and the feather tips. All hair detail is sharp, LIBERTY is bold, and the coin retains a pleasing appearance. AU examples retain 50% or more of original mint luster in the protected areas. At AU-58, only a trace of friction on Liberty's cheek and the wreath's highest leaves distinguishes the coin from full Mint State.

Gem Mint State (MS-60 to MS-66+)

No wear anywhere on the coin. Luster radiates in unbroken bands when rotated under a single light source. The critical area is Liberty's cheek — any flattening of luster here denotes wear. Color designation (BN / RB / RD) is assigned based on remaining original red. MS-65 RD specimens are exceptionally rare for this date; the top known MS-66 RD example realized over $60,000 at auction.

💡 Pro Tip — Color Designation Matters Enormously: For Mint State 1871 Indian Head pennies, the color suffix (BN, RB, or RD) can multiply or divide value. An MS-64 RD can be worth three to four times as much as the same coin in MS-64 BN. Never clean or dip the coin — removing original toning destroys the RB or RD designation permanently and can reduce value by 50–90%.

📱 CoinHix helps you match your coin's surface preservation and color against graded examples in its database — a coin identifier and value app.

💰 Where to Sell Your Valuable 1871 Indian Head Penny

Where you sell matters nearly as much as what you have. The right venue can mean the difference between a fair price and a great one — especially for variety and high-grade coins.

🏛️ Heritage Auctions

The premier venue for high-grade and variety pieces. Heritage reaches the largest audience of serious Indian Head cent collectors. MS-65+ RD coins, confirmed MPD-001 or RPD-001 specimens, and certified Proofs will achieve their highest prices here. Plan for a 60–90 day consignment timeline and typical buyer's premium of 20%.

📦 eBay

Strong market for circulated examples in G through VF grades. Browse recently sold prices for 1871 Indian Head penny listings and completed sales to calibrate your asking price before listing. Raw (unslabbed) circulated coins sell well here; unattributed variety coins often underperform relative to their certified counterparts.

🏪 Local Coin Shop (LCS)

Convenient for a quick sale but expect dealer buy prices to run 40–60% of retail for common grades. A knowledgeable dealer may pay a fair premium for a confirmed Shallow N or variety coin they can attribute. Get at least two shop offers before accepting. Useful for worn or lower-grade examples where auction fees would eat into returns.

💬 Reddit r/Coins4Sale

Active community of collectors who know this series well. Shallow N and variety coins get genuine interest here. No seller fees (unlike eBay's ~13%). Requires building community trust first. Best for mid-grade examples in F–EF where you want to deal directly with a fellow collector rather than paying auction house premiums.

Get It Certified First For any 1871 Indian Head penny grading EF-40 or better, or any suspected Shallow N, RPD-001, or MPD-001 variety, third-party certification by PCGS or NGC pays for itself many times over. A certified Shallow N or MPD-001 in a PCGS or NGC holder commands meaningfully higher prices than an equivalent raw coin — buyers pay for confidence in authentication and attribution. Submit via their online portals or at a major coin show.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of an 1871 Indian Head penny?

An 1871 Indian Head penny in Good condition is typically worth $67–$186 depending on whether it is a Bold N or Shallow N variety. In Fine condition, values range from $169–$376. Uncirculated examples start at around $525 for Bold N and can exceed $1,200 or more for Shallow N. High-grade Red specimens in MS-66 have sold at auction for over $60,000.

What is the difference between the Shallow N and Bold N on an 1871 Indian Head penny?

The difference lies in the reverse die hub used. The Shallow N variety used an older hub, resulting in the letter 'N' in 'ONE CENT' appearing shallow or sunken and almost blending with the background. The letters E also have straighter 'T'-shaped serifs. The Bold N used a newer hub, producing a deeper, more prominent 'N' with triangular 'trumpet' serifs on the E. The Shallow N is the more desirable and more valuable variety.

How many 1871 Indian Head pennies were minted?

The Philadelphia Mint struck 3,929,500 circulation strikes and approximately 960 Proof specimens in 1871. This relatively low mintage makes the 1871 a semi-key date in the Indian Head cent series. Coin researchers estimate that only around 5,000 to 6,000 wholly original, undamaged examples may survive today across all grades.

What is the most valuable 1871 Indian Head penny ever sold?

The highest recorded auction price for an 1871 Indian Head penny is approximately $60,375, achieved by an MS-66 Red specimen. In recent auction activity, an NGC MS-66 RD example sold for over $22,000 on eBay in 2025. High-grade Red coins are exceptionally rare and command strong premiums from advanced collectors seeking the finest known examples.

Does the 1871 Indian Head penny have a mint mark?

No. The 1871 Indian Head penny was struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint, which did not use a mint mark during this era. All circulation strikes and Proof coins bear no mint mark. The absence of a mint mark is normal and expected for this date and is not a sign of any error or variety.

What is a Repunched Date (RPD) on the 1871 Indian Head penny?

A Repunched Date variety occurs when the date was punched into the die more than once at a slightly different position, leaving ghost images of the digits visible under the primary date. The 1871 RPD-001 (Snow-2) shows evidence of an earlier date punch beneath the primary 1871 numerals. This variety, attributed to Walter Breen, carries a premium over common die pairings in most circulated grades.

Are 1871 Indian Head penny Proofs valuable?

Yes. Only an estimated 960 Proof 1871 Indian Head pennies were struck. In PF-60 condition these start around $245. Cameo and Deep Cameo examples in grades PF-64 or higher are significantly rarer and can command several thousand dollars. Proof coins were struck on specially prepared planchets with mirror-like fields and sharp design details, distinguishing them from circulation strikes.

How do I know if my 1871 Indian Head penny is genuine?

Check the weight (should be approximately 3.11 grams) and diameter (19mm). Examine the design details under magnification — James Longacre's Indian Head portrait should show fine hair strands and a clear LIBERTY on the headdress band. Genuine coins show consistent die characteristics. For high-value examples, third-party grading by PCGS or NGC is strongly recommended to confirm authenticity and variety attribution.

What does the color designation (BN, RB, RD) mean on an 1871 Indian Head penny?

For mint-state copper coins, grading services designate color as Brown (BN), Red-Brown (RB), or Red (RD). Brown coins have fully toned copper surfaces. Red-Brown retain between 10% and 90% original red color. Red coins keep at least 90% original mint luster and red color. RD examples are the most valuable. An 1871 MS-64 RD can be worth significantly more than the same grade in BN.

What is the Misplaced Date variety on the 1871 Indian Head penny?

The 1871 MPD-001 (Snow-5) variety shows remnants of a date digit punched into the denticles below the primary date. Under magnification, a portion of a digit can be detected in the lower denticle area. This misplacement occurred when the hub or date punch was placed too low during die preparation, leaving a ghosted impression. This variety is paired with the Shallow N reverse and is catalogued in the Snow reference guide.

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The 1871 Indian Head Penny: What's It Worth?