Just 852,000 coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint that year, the second-lowest minting of an Indian head penny. In good condition, the 1877 Indian head can go for $900. The highest amount ...

Unlike the short 25-year life of the Buffalo nickel, the Indian Head penny was introduced before the Civil War and lasted a full half-century until being discontinued in 1909.

“We did the Indian Head penny from 1859 until 1909 when the famous Lincoln penny—there’s just a little pile of me here—the wheat back, they’re all made of copper,” Welsh explained.

1864 Indian Head Penny “L” on Ribbon — $161,000. The designer of this penny, James Longacre, slipped an “L” for his last name on the ribbon minted on these pennies in 1964.

1864 Indian Head Penny “L” on Ribbon — $161,000. The designer of this penny, James Longacre, slipped an “L” for his last name on the ribbon minted on these pennies in 1964.