Is It Offensive to Complete my Grandfather's Indian Head Penny Collection?

If it makes you feel better, call them Longacre cents

 

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Wow – thanks for all the quick replies. Obviously responders so far unanimously see nothing wrong with the collection. Seeing the responses, a couple follow-up points:

(1) It seems like a good percentage of responders take issue more broadly with the politically-correct movement (for lack of a better phrase). But I would have to respectfully disagree with some of you. For example, I think things can be part of U.S. history and still be offensive. For example, I believe that collecting and displaying confederate flags is offensive and I would not do it (even if I inherited a confederate flag collection, to try to draw a parallel to my penny situation). I think the Washington Redskins issue someone raised is a closer call—but I suppose if the consensus (especially among Native Americans) was that it was offensive (I don’t know enough about the name to have an opinion), then perhaps I would consider it such.


So I guess really my more refined question is not whether people are overly sensitive to these things these days, but in a world where people are much more sensitive (or are becoming properly aware, to spin it positively), is the Indian Head penny, on its own terms, simply not offensive.

Answering this question could involve information like: “The creator has said that the penny was intended to Honor Indians” or stuff like that. I hope that makes some sense. Perhaps I need to read more history about the development of the cent itself (so far I’ve only looked on the Wikipedia page). Or perhaps given the popularity of the set, modern-day Native Americans (who, for example, have spoken out against the Redskins name of the Cleveland Indians mascot) have publicly commented that they have no problems with the penny. Similarly, it would be interesting to hear if forum members feel things like: "I agree that the Redskins name is offensive, but I do not consider the penny offensive." I know a lot of folks approach this issue as black/white (i.e., people need to chill); my hope is that even for those who see things in shades of gray (i.e., who agree that certain pieces of history are offensive), Indian head cents are still in the safe zone. Especially since I really am drawn to the collection!


(2) As to the question of how I would complete the collection…I think what I would do is put them all in the same folder. My plan was to take a picture of the folder so I would know which coins were his, and then I would just complete the folder myself. It’s not a high quality set (just circulated coins pulled from cash registers) and so I would probably complete it with similar lower-grade coins (especially since I would have to buy the main key dates to the set).


I very much appreciate all the responses.

 

If my grandfather didn't find it offensive to collect a US coin, I'm good with it.
In truth, I don't care what others think of what I collect. There is nothing in US history I wish to burn or hide. It happened and we should save the good and the bad. It's not anyone's place to tell others what they should collect.

 

This will not come as a surprise - I don't see anything wrong with collecting those pieces. Coins are part of our history, and the "Indian Head Penny" is part of your country's history. Unlike Nazi Germany's or the Soviet Union's coinage for example it was not issued to promote any particular ideology.

Side note: In my opinion a somewhat responsible or sensitive use of language is a good thing if it encourages thinking and reflecting. But if people who want to be offensive (or just do not care) merely replace an older term with a newer one, nothing has been gained ...

Christian

 

Am i the only one who's curious what the OTHER coins are ?? The OP mentioned selling those to complete the IHC book. I imagine you could find some really cool stuff in a 1920s cash register.

So........ my question to the OP is-
What are these other coins you inherited? Photos (front/back) would be even better !!

 

Should we not collect ancient Roman coins since they wiped out the Etruscans, Latins, etc.. and enslaved people? No, it's history, it's in the past and the only thing we can do is learn from it, not hide it or be ashamed of it.

Someday, in the future, a country or empire will march through the US and wipe us out of existence. No one will say, hey, that's offensive. It's human nature and the way the world has worked for eons.

 

This is exactly what I was thinking. Keeping his intact.

 

Over sensitizing things as is done these days helps nobody. Completing your grandfathers collection on the other hand honors your grandfather. Indian head cents are not deemed offensive.

 

I understand your concern. It can look a little hypocritical to have Lady Liberty wearing a Native American headdress. But honestly, they are one of my favorite coins. And I have a much bigger problem with Nazi coins, which still come a thousand miles away from those folks that collect empty cans of poison gas and other atrocities. (My opinion).

 

I don't see how any of it would be offensive. We've been brow beaten over the last couple of decades into thinking that we have to be ultra careful not to accidentally offend anyone. If I was of Indian decent, I would be honored any time someone named a team after Indians, or made a coin depicting an Indian image, or even a hotdog named Geronimo. It shows that Indians are revered for their qualities.

 

I've been a Washington Redskins fan since I was a boy in the 1950s. I thought it a shame that the Ole Miss Rebels did away with their Southern Colonel mascot, thanks to PC influence. The university certainly DID show its fair approach to American sentiment in the early 1960s with the matriculation of James Meredith; now that they succumbed to those who have no use for individuality and personal freedom makes me sad. There's more and more coming; soon these forces will demand the eradication of US coins showing past presidents, I guess. The Indian Head Cent is my personal favorite... I'm working on my third set. Larry Verne's novelty record, Mr Custer, from the early Sixties also comes to mind. What am I doin' here?

 

My recent pickup. Currently my favorite coin.

 

Interesting that we (USofA) use the image of the Indian/Native American on so much of coinage/currency, being that we have treated them so poorly.



This bill is out of my price range, but I certainly would like to have one in my collection.

I do have a complete Buffalo Nickel collection, minus the 18/17 and 1916/1916.

 

"HIS STORY" is just that, his story/our story/history! We cannot change the past by changing names, or tearing down statues, etc. Why are so many of us trying to emulate ISIS? There are a lot of things I've done in my own life that I regret having done (or, not done!), but my history is what created the me of today, and I wouldn't change a thing! Others that know me would probably disagree, but it's "my story"!

 

Agreed - things can be historical and offensive, but in this case it’s like telling a book collector they can’t have a copy of Tom Sawyer, or a film buff can’t have a copy of gone with the wind, or a comic collector can’t have a copy of basically and of the ww2 era Captain America comics.

We are in an age of hyper sensitivity and the Internet has given everyone a platform to voice themselves.

Indian head penny collecting doesn’t hurt anyone, and I have never heard a Native American Express protest (such as the Washington Redskins debate) so I don’t see why it would be an issue.

However, if YOU feel bad about it, don’t do it. In the end you control what you do and why.

 

Hey, I was born and raised in America, as well as my parents and grandparents. So I'd call myself Native American and I never wore any silly headdress!

 

Don't leave home without it!

 

I prefer the Players Club Card

 

Exactly. If people would quit being offended this country would be better off. Don't give in to the madness! If people are "offended " by little things they have problems.