The Historic 1909 Penny Series
The 1909 Lincoln cent marks both the birth of America’s longest-running coin series and contains its most valuable regular-issue penny. With three major varieties ranging from 8,500to8,500to175,000, here’s what makes these coins so special.
1909 Penny Varieties & Values
1. 1909-S VDB – The $175,000 King of Pennies
- Mint: San Francisco (“S” mint mark)
- Grade: MS67+ RD (PCGS)
- Key Facts:
- Lowest mintage (484,000) of entire series
- Features Victor D. Brenner’s controversial “VDB” initials
- Only 3 exist in MS67+ Red condition
- Last auction: $175,000 (2023)
- Circulated Value:
- G4: $900
- VG8: $2,500
![1909-S VDB close-up showing mint mark and VDB]
2. 1909 VDB (Philadelphia) – $60,000 Gem
- Mint: Philadelphia (No mint mark)
- Grade: MS68+ RD
- Why Valuable:
- First year of issue with designer’s initials
- “VDB” removed mid-1909 due to public outcry
- MS68+ examples are condition rarities
- Population:
- PCGS MS68+ RD: 5 coins
- NGC MS68 RD: 3 coins
- AU55 Value: 250−250−400
3. 1909 Plain (No VDB) – $8,500 Superb Gem
- Mint: Philadelphia
- Grade: MS67+ RD
- Market Insight:
- Second lowest mintage (72.7M) of 1909 issues
- Full red gems are 100x rarer than S-VDB in same grade
- Last Heritage sale: $8,519 (2024)
- Circulated Value:
- RB (Red-Brown): 1−1−5
- RD (Full Red): 10−10−50
Why 1909 Pennies Command Premiums
The Three Value Drivers:
- Historical Significance
- First Lincoln cent ever issued
- “VDB” controversy created instant rarities
- Condition Rarity
- MS67+ examples represent top 0.001% of survivors
- Original red color adds 500%+ premium
- Mint Mark Magic
- San Francisco coins are 150x rarer than Philly issues
Grading Standards for Maximum Value
For All Varieties:
- MS67+ RD: Perfect surfaces, zero marks under 5x
- MS65 RD: Light bag marks, strong luster
- AU55: Light wear on high points
Key Detail: “RD” (Red) designation requires 95%+ original color
Where to Find These Rare Pennies
Best Hunting Grounds:
- Old Coin Rolls (Pre-1960 wheat cent rolls)
- Estate Sales (Look for coin boards/albums)
- Bank Vaults (Some still hold original mint bags)
Pro Tip:
Use a 10x loupe to check for:
✓ “S” mint mark position
✓ “VDB” initials (shoulder truncation)
✓ Die cracks near date
Market Trends (2024)
- 1909-S VDB up 22% since 2020
- High-grade Philly coins breaking records
- Registry Set Demand pushing prices higher
FAQ
Q: Are all 1909 pennies valuable?
A: Only in high grades (MS65+/AU55+ for S-VDB). Worn examples:
- 1909: 0.50−0.50−5
- 1909 VDB: 10−10−50
- 1909-S VDB: $600+ (even well-worn)
Q: How to spot fake VDB pennies?
A: Check:
✓ Correct “S” font (not added later)
✓ Proper VDB placement
✓ Authentic wear patterns
Q: Should I clean my 1909 penny?
A: Never! Cleaning destroys 50-90% of value.
“I Found a 1909 Penny – Now What?”
- Don’t Clean It!
- Check for “S” & “VDB”
- Weigh It (Must be 3.11g)
- Get It Graded if AU50+
Grading Cost: 50−50−150 (worth it for potential $175,000 coin)
Want More? Download our FREE 1909 Penny Cheat Sheet at [PennyPro.com]
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PS: That jar of old pennies might hold a six-figure surprise!
