Indian Head Cent
Numismatic art; elongated/engraved currency specimen • James B. Longacre (original designer for the United States Mint)
Style & Movement
American Neoclassicism (Numismatic)
Medium & Technique
Copper-nickel or bronze alloy; struck coinage with subsequent manual or chemical patination
Creation Period
Modern period (Original strike 1859-1909; current state contemporary)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 19mm in diameter; circular format
Subject Description
The obverse features a profile of Liberty wearing a Native American feathered headdress. The coin is heavily darkened and placed atop a contemporary ephemeral auction flyer.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Poor; the specimen exhibits extreme oxidation, environmental damage, and loss of surface detail
Estimated Market Value
$0.01 - $2.00 USD (nominal value due to severe condition issues)
Auction Estimate
$1.00 - $5.00 USD (starting bid on flyer suggests a base utility price)
Provenance History
Unknown; currently associated with an 'Auction Time Bid Board' flyer from Pennsylvania as a placeholder or low-value lot
Art Historical Significance
A classic example of late 19th-century American coinage design, representing a shift toward more thematic national iconography.
Notable Features
The juxtaposition of the vintage currency against a modern, bright-yellow auction house document creates an accidental assemblage or 'found object' aesthetic.
Condition Issues
Massive corrosion, heavy dark patina obscuring the date and detail, significant wear, and environmental pitting
Conservation Recommendations
Non-abrasive stabilization; storage in an archival, PVC-free coin flip; maintain in a low-humidity environment