How Can I Get Indian Head Pennies?

Don't take this the wrong way but if you've been looking at (or searching through) coins since around 1950 you should have, statistically speaking, found numerous Indian Head cents by now. At that time they were only last minted a little more than 40 years earlier and I'd imagine were still at least somewhat easily found in circulation.

A report from 1995 said they could be found in circulation at a ratio of 1:30,000 and that was just 21 years ago. Heck, two years ago I even found one from 1889 in a roll of cents from the bank. They are out there. You just have to stay vigilant for them.

 

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Move to my area. I breakup many IHC collections annually and spend the culls around town. Same for Buffalo Nickels.

 

I've searched hundreds of bank boxes and bags....only found two IHC's as long as I've been doing it.

 

Won't say I was actively searching, but I do remember one instance in the early 50's when a family friend found out I was interested in IHC's and I offered him $0.05 for each one he saved for me...never got a single one.

 

I've got a couple in change. Bought a collection with quite a few awhile back had a box at my next show with ihc for $1 ea. Was some real nice ones in the box. Copper nickels some were xf I think average grade was fine. And I sold a lot of em

 

What area do you live in?

 

OP, you have inspired me to search around e-bay to see if there are any deals out there. If you look hard enough, you can find some, but not for "face" value, but less than the $1-$2 most dealers want. Of course you have to buy in bulk, and not those "shotgun rolls with indian cents on the ends"

 

Closest I can say online is the Pacific Northwest.

 

I only went through 3 boxes of pennies and already got 9 Canadian pennies.

 

Kind of depends on where you live.

 

common indian heads go for a dollar or two,culls for less than a dollar, and high quality common late dates go for less than twenty bucks.

 

There is no such thing as a free lunch - in numismatics, or in the real world.

If you want something, you have to work for it, steal it, or someone else has to buy it for you.

Of the three options, I would recommend the first.

 

You might try stores that buy gold and silver. Sometimes they buy everything a customer has to sell. Normally they they sell cheap to move them out of their inventory. Good luck.

 

You can't bring back change in a time machine...I've tried it!

 

love it!

 

Dig for them!

 

I have found them while metal detecting. Other coins as well. Used metal detectors on Craig's list around here aren't terribly expensive. Possibility?

 

Jason - Welcome to the forum. It's great that you've decided to collect coins. It's an amazing hobby. Here, at CoinTalk there is a wealth of opportunity for learning and making friends who have similar interests.

I see you are quite young, and that's a good thing. The entire life experience is in front of you. BUT, at this point in your coin hobby, you really need to listen, read, and gain as much knowledge as you can. Learn to speak our "language." And, there are issues of etiquette. If you just moved into a new city today, would you knock on the neighbor's door and ask, "Hi, I'm your new neighbor, you folks got any Indian Head Cents that I could have for free?"

It sounds silly, I know. But, that's exactly what you have done with your post. Take the time to make some new friends here, on the forum. Most of us have helped many new collectors over the years. At 16 years old, with no budget, maybe you should wait until later when you can make purchases and trades for an IHC collection. Perhaps, you should start your new hobby with a series that is more available, like State or ATB Quarters, or Lincoln Memorial Cents. A great "first" collection is the Jefferson Nickel because many are readily available.

These are only suggestions, and are meant to be helpful. We all want to encourage you, but, until we know you better, we're probably not ready to adopt you, yet. Jack

 

Believe it or not I got an 1863 IHC in a roll of cents. I maybe once got a box but usually only bought 10-12 rolls once every few weeks.

 

I agree with most of the other comments. If your definition of cheap is .80 then that might not be a bad buy price for those in the 1900 - 1907 range in good condition. Now finding that you will have to look at some coin shows or possibly ebay.