His Longacre design also represented the first time that official United States Mint coins featured a distinctly American motif. Designed by James Longacre, these historic cents were the nation's first coinage tribute to the noble, proud American Indian. Introduced shortly before the War between the States in 1859, they were struck by the U.S.
Minted for over 50 years, Indian Head cents are widely considered the most beautiful copper coins in American history.
