The US 1891 Cent, designed by James B. Longacre, features the iconic Liberty in a Native American headdress, symbolizing unity and identity during post-Civil War reconstruction. Made of bronze, the coin reflected industrial growth and metal cost-efficiency amid rising copper prices. The 1891 Cent circulated widely as America expanded westward and urbanized rapidly.
Economically, 1891 marked growing labor unrest and calls for currency reform, highlighting tension between gold and bimetallic standards. Politically, the Sherman Silver Purchase Acts effects loomed, influencing coin production. The US 1891 Cent’s durable design and metal choice reflect a nation balancing identity, cost, and industrial strength.