Certified Brown Percentage: 15%
Certified Red and Brown Percentage: 67%
Certified Red Percentage: 17%
Certified Cameo Percentage: 1%

The majority of Proof 1871 cents known are of the Shallow N reverse hub variety, and there are two die pairings known for this type. Snow-PR1 displays noticeable separation between the digits 71 in the date and has a tiny die line extending into Liberty's neck from the fourth pearl in the necklace. Both Shallow N die pairings feature the same reverse, which was also used to strike several rare pattern Indian cents, as well as the Snow-PR2 variety of the classic Proof 1864 L on Ribbon.

At least 960 Proof cents were struck in 1871, these coins intended for distribution to contemporary collectors as part of the year's silver Proof sets. In keeping with the trend noted for earlier dated bronze Indian cent Proofs, the 1871 is rare in full Red Gem preservation and very rare in the Cameo category.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the August 2019 Rosemont ANA Auction, where it realized $28,800.