1866 Cent Value: Mint Varieties, Rarity, and Current Prices

Price Guide for 1866 Cent Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1866 Cent variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.

1866 Penny, RD (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $275.00 - $37,200.00
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $362.00 - $4,050.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $450.00 - $18,000.00

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1866 Penny, BN (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $7.00 - $776.25

  Uncirculated: $115.00 - $4,140.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $11.50 - $405.00

  Uncirculated: $199.99 - $940.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $32.00 - $390.00

  Uncirculated: $410.00 - $2,500.00

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1866 Penny, RB (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $27.00 - $322.00

  Uncirculated: $167.00 - $4,830.00
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $225.00 - $5,000.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $425.00 - $4,750.00

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1866 Penny DDO FS-101 S-1, BN (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $109.00 - $805.00

  Uncirculated: $1,292.50 - $1,380.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $48.00 - $334.95

  Uncirculated: $574.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $90.00 - $835.00

  Uncirculated: $900.00 - $1,400.00

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1866 Penny DDO FS-101 S-1, RB (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $374.00 - $1,440.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $1,250.00 - $2,250.00

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1866 Penny DDO FS-101 S-1, RD (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $3,290.00

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1866 Penny RPD FS-301, S-2, BN (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $84.00 - $403.00

  Uncirculated: $222.00 - $499.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $47.00 - $219.50

  Uncirculated: $306.00 - $1,111.11
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $60.00 - $385.00

  Uncirculated: $425.00 - $750.00

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1866 Penny RPD FS-301, Snow-2, RB (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $763.75 - $950.40
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $475.00 - $1,200.00

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1866 Penny RPD FS-301 S-2, RD (Regular Strike)

• eBay

  Uncirculated: $427.50

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1866 Penny RPD FS-303, S-9, BN (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $105.00 - $297.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $115.00 - $347.75

  Uncirculated: $515.05 - $607.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $60.00 - $435.00

  Uncirculated: $500.00 - $850.00

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1866 Penny RPD FS-303 S-9 (007.8), RB (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $780.00 - $1,036.00

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1866 Penny RPD FS-303 S-9 (007.8), RD (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $1,800.00 - $3,600.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $600.00 - $3,100.00

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1866 Penny RPD FS-302 S-3, BN (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $58.00 - $312.00

  Uncirculated: $360.00 - $552.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $155.00

  Uncirculated: $1,567.99
• PCGS Price Guide

  Circulated: $50.00 - $375.00

  Uncirculated: $450.00 - $700.00

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1866 Penny RPD FS-302 S-3, RB (Regular Strike)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $587.50 - $748.00
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $606.00

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1866 Penny, CAM (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Uncirculated: $840.00 - $22,800.00
• eBay

  Circulated: $600.00

  Uncirculated: $2,275.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $2,200.00 - $25,000.00

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1866 Penny, BN (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $322.00

  Uncirculated: $196.00 - $1,527.50
• eBay

  Circulated: $897.00

  Uncirculated: $371.88 - $850.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $175.00 - $1,800.00

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1866 Penny, RB (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $253.00

  Uncirculated: $6.85 - $4,994.00
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $375.00 - $1,528.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $200.00 - $8,250.00

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1866 Penny, RD (Proof)

• 3rd Party Price

  Circulated: $661.00

  Uncirculated: $518.00 - $10,575.00
• eBay

  Uncirculated: $999.00 - $2,880.00
• PCGS Price Guide

  Uncirculated: $250.00 - $4,500.00

More Detail

Design and Specifications of the 1866 Cent

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

The condition of an 1866 Indian Head Cent significantly impacts its value. While not particularly rare in circulated grades, uncirculated examples become increasingly valuable. Coins in MS63 to MS64 grades are scarce, while those in MS65 or higher are rare and highly sought after by collectors.

Key factors affecting value include:

1. Strike quality: Well-struck coins with full details are more desirable.
2. Luster: Original mint luster adds significant premium.
3. Color: Red (RD) coins are most valuable, followed by Red-Brown (RB), then Brown (BN).
4. Surface preservation: Fewer contact marks or blemishes increase value.

Historical significance plays a role in the 1866 Cent's value. As the first post-Civil War issue, it holds special interest for collectors of American history. Additionally, the quality of the planchet can affect value, as some 1866 cents were struck on slightly inferior planchets due to the Mint's transition back to regular production.

While not typically considered a key date, high-grade examples of the 1866 Cent are scarce enough to command premium prices. The overall eye appeal of a coin, including its toning and strike characteristics, can significantly influence its desirability among collectors, particularly for specimens intended for high-end collections or registry sets.