Although numismatic tradition maintains that approximately 1,000 Proof Indian cents were struck in 1860 (the second year of the series and the first of the Oak Wreath with Shield design type), Rick Snow (2014) suggests that only 542 or so coins were actually distributed to contemporary collectors. The balance of the mintage was retained in the Mint until released into circulation in later years. Premium quality Gems are notoriously difficult to find, this being a generally poorly produced issue that suffered from below average preservation among earlier collectors.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the August 2019 Rosemont ANA Auction, where it realized $10,200.