Indian Head cent

1879 Indian Head Penny Value

When worn, an 1879 Indian Head Penny, bronze is typically worth about $6.00.

1879 penny: front (type example, 1860 Indian Head cent) — Type example: 1860 Indian Head cent and 1860 wreath and shield reverse. Your coin's date and mint mark may differ. This example is copper-nickel (pale); bronze Indian Head pennies, made from 1864, look coppery.
Photo credits
National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History (photo: Jaclyn Nash) (PD; front, back)

1879 penny: back (type example, 1860 wreath and shield reverse) — Type example: 1860 Indian Head cent and 1860 wreath and shield reverse. Your coin's date and mint mark may differ. This example is copper-nickel (pale); bronze Indian Head pennies, made from 1864, look coppery.
Photo credits
National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History (photo: Jaclyn Nash) (PD; front, back)

Check your own 1879 penny

Take a photo of each side. Penny Value helps you narrow down which 1879 penny you have and what to check.

Penny Value is an Android app for now, so it isn't on the App Store. The values and checks on this page are free to use.Penny Value is an Android app. Open this page on your Android phone to check your own penny with a photo.

Every 1879 penny

Worn = typical value when worn (Good to Very Fine); MS-60 = uncirculated. Values as of Q4 2026 · Penny Value estimates · not an offer to buy.

1879
Philadelphia · 16.2 million made
$6.00worn
$270MS-60
1879 Proof
Philadelphia · Proof · 3,200 made
Proof
$200proof

The proof penny listed here was sold to collectors in sets, so you won't normally find it in change.

Mint marks

All 1879 pennies made for circulation were struck in Philadelphia and have no mint mark.

Questions

How much is an 1879 Indian Head penny worth?

When worn, an 1879 Indian Head Penny, bronze is typically worth about $6.00. These are Penny Value estimates as of Q4 2026, for information only.

Where is the mint mark on an 1879 penny?

All 1879 pennies made for circulation were struck in Philadelphia and have no mint mark.

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Every Indian Head Cent (bronze)