Indian Head Cent 1884 G-VG

As with the presidential election before it, the election of 1884 was decided by a very small margin of 20,000 votes. This year saw the election of a Democrat, Grover Cleveland, for the first time since 1856. The Washington Monument was completed this year and it was, for a short time, the tallest structure in the world, in homage to the American first president. The Federation of Trades and Labor Unions proclaimed the eight hour work day for the first time in the United States. This occured on May first, now known internationally as International Worker’s Day. The American class Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, was published in 1884. In coin news, Mason’s Monthly Illustrated Coin Collector’s Magazine sold groups of 200 proof sets from 1860 to 1883. The cost of the group was a whopping $800.

The US Mint slowed down its production of Indian Head cents in the year 1884. Unlike the four years prior, 1884’s mintage was roughly half, issuing roughly 23,000,000. This year’s pennies were well circulated through the remainder of the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth. Today it is very easy to find lower grade specimens, however, finding Mint State issues has proven more difficult. As with the year before it, the 1884 Indian Head cent set its date on a curved base instead of a straight one. The reverse of the coin remained the same. An oak wreath surrounding the denomination of “One Cent” all protected by the United States’ federal shield at 12:00.

Although the Mint halved its production of mintage for circulation, the 1884 Proof Indian Head cent continued at a high output. Just under 4,000 proofs were issued that year. It is actually one of the easiest proof dates to find in the entire series. Full red dates can be obtained with relative ease, yet cameo coins are a little more difficult. As with all other Indian Head cents for circulation, only some repunched date varieties are known. There is, however, one misplaced date variety known, but nothing very popular. If you have any questions regarding the Indian Head Cent or varieties, please contact any of our knowledgeable staff at 800-735-1311, and we’ll be happy to assist you!

• Denomination: Cent
• Year: 1884
• Diameter: 19 mm
• Mint Mark: N/A
• Thickness: 1.5 mm
• Grade: Ungraded