What is an 1891 Indian head penny?

Indian head pennies are 1-cent coins that were issued by the United States Mint as currency between the years of 1859 and 1909. The 1891 issue of the penny trades for relatively high prices among coin collectors, as very few high-quality examples of it remain.

Most Indian head pennies were struck in large quantities and are not difficult to find, but 1891 Indian head pennies that merit a rating of "extremely fine" (XF) or uncirculated are relatively few in number. A rare 1891 Indian head penny considered to be in "gem" condition was sold at a David Lawrence coin auction for $833.