The 1909 penny is considered to be a rare coin because only 3 coins were minted by the United States Mint out of the Philadelphia Mint in 1909. This was the first and only time this penny has been issued with this particular design, commonly referred to as the Indian Head Penny.
It signifies the year the first Lincoln cent was produced at the Philadelphia Mint and it is a very important part of numismatic history. The obverse of the coin features a bust of a Native American facing left, with the word “LIBERTY” on the headdress and the designer’s initials “VDB” on the lower left.
The reverse features the Roman numeral “ONE CENT” encircled by a laurel and oak wreath. The 1909 penny was only minted for the first year of Lincoln’s Centennial, making it a significant and scarce coin.
Due to its low mintage and significant historical importance, the 1909 penny is a highly sought-after coin by serious numismatists, and its value continues to increase as its rarity solidifies.
Table of Contents
How much money is a 1909 penny worth?
The value of a 1909 penny would depend largely on the condition of the coin, as well as its type. If a 1909 penny is in good or very good condition, it could be worth anywhere from a few cents to several dollars, depending on its type.
There are three types of 1909 pennies: the Indian Head Cent, the Lincoln Wheat Cent and the Lincoln Memorial Cent. For example, an Indian Head cent in good or very good condition could be worth anywhere from around 10 cents to $7 or more; a Lincoln Wheat cent in good or very good condition could fetch 25 cents to $3 or more; and a Lincoln Memorial cent in good or very good condition could fetch 50 cents to $45 or more.
What year wheat penny is worth $1000000?
No wheat penny has been recorded at having a value of $1000000. The most valuable wheat penny is a 1943-S copper Lincoln cent, which is currently valued at around $85,000 in uncirculated condition. This penny is unique because the U.S. Mint accidentally used copper rather than the steel that was intended for the 1943 issue.
Other rare dates and mintmarks can also be worth considerable amounts, with some uncirculated specimens selling for as much as $800. Nevertheless, with the rarest wheat penny selling for a few thousand dollars tops, it is safe to say that there is no wheat penny that is currently worth $1000000.
How many 1909 pennies are there?
The number of 1909 pennies is difficult to determine due to the various mintage figures for each variety. According to the Red Book, the total mintage of 1909 Indian Head Cents is 11,115,000 and the total mintage of 1909 Lincoln Cents is 48,731,509.
However, this does not necessarily reflect how many were actually made. Given that a vast majority of the 1909 pennies were probably melted down or heavily worn in circulation, the actual number of surviving 1909 pennies is likely much lower.
Collectors often consider the 1909 Indian Head Cent to be extremely rare, with some of the varieties having a mintage figure of only 1000-2500. The Lincoln varieties of 1909 are more common, but still constitute a very collectible set.
What year penny is very rare?
The 1909-S Indian Head Penny is considered to be one of the rarest pennies in circulation. This coin was issued by the United States Mint in 1909 and is highly sought after due to its rarity. It is exceptionally difficult to find in circulated condition as only 484,000 of the coins were made.
In fact, it’s so rare that some experts believe there may be fewer than 500 1909-S Indian Head Pennies available in the market today. Furthermore, the 1909-S penny is one of the most valuable coins in the world, with specimens that are in excellent condition selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
How can you tell if you have a 1909 VDB penny?
If you think you have a 1909 VDB penny, there are a few ways you can tell. First and most obvious, is to look at the date stamp. If it’s clearly a 1909 dated penny, then it could be a VDB penny. If it’s not a 1909 dated penny, then you can rule it out.
Another way to tell is to look at the back of the coin, specifically just under the “E Pluribus Unum” phrase. You should be able to see the initials, VDB, that the designer, Victor David Brenner, is known for.
The lettering should be very small but still visible even through light wear and tear.
Finally, if you can find pictures of a 1909 VDB penny, you may want to compare the features. This includes looking at the variety of design, the detail in the Lincoln bust design, the spacing between the letters in VDB, and overall quality.
If your coin is close to the reference picture, then you possibly have a 1909 VDB penny. Ultimately, the only definitive way to know is to have a professional authenticate and grade your penny.
What does VDB mean on a 1909 penny?
VDB stands for Victor David Brenner, who designed the Lincoln cent for the United States Mint in 1909. His initials were featured on the reverse side of the penny, appearing to the right of the wheat stalks.
In 1918, the Mint removed the initials due to production costs, however, in 1959 metallic composition and design changes were made regarding the Lincoln cent and the initials returned, with the exception of the 1982 Lincoln cent, which omitted the initials in favor of a much larger design of Lincoln’s Memorial.
Brenner was a sculptor and medalist whose works often memorialized the lives of influential people. He is credited with the standardization of the modern coin design and his use of the bust portrait on coins.
Are 1909 coins worth anything?
Yes, 1909 coins can be worth something depending on the coin and its condition. 1909 pennies are particularly valuable if they are in very fine or better condition. 1909 Indian Head Pennies can be worth anywhere from several dollars to over $2,000 depending on the grade of the coin.
1909-S Indian Head Pennies in Fine or better condition can be worth hundreds of dollars. 1909 Lincoln Wheat Pennies in Fine or better condition can be worth around $1.50 or more. 1909 Liberty V Nickels in Fine or better condition can be worth around $4 or more.
1909-S Barber Dimes in Fine or better condition can be worth several dollars or more. 1909-S Barber Quarters in Fine or better condition can be worth around $20 or more. 1909-S Barber Half Dollars in Fine or better condition can be worth several hundred dollars or more.
1909-S Saint Gaudens Double Eagles in Fine or better condition can be worth thousands of dollars or more. In addition, many 1909 coins from other countries can be quite valuable as well. The best way to find the value of 1909 coins is to research them and consult a coin dealer or numismatic professional.
What are the 10 most valuable pennies?
The 10 most valuable pennies include the following rare and sought-after coins from a variety of denominations, years, and mints:
1. 1943 ‘Copper’ Lincoln Cent – This coin is extremely rare, as pennies during this time were made of steel due to rationing of copper for war supplies during WWII. An example sold for more than $200,000 at an auction.
2. 1909-S Indian Head Cent – This is another extremely rare coin. It is one of only 24 coins from this date, with half of them coming from a mint in San Francisco. A single specimen of this coin was sold for more than $200,000.
3. 1873 Indian Head Cent – This coin is known as the ‘Open 3’ because of the open design on the back of the coin. It is known to be extremely rare, with only three known specimens. One of these sold for more than $160,000.
4. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent – This coin is known to be the ‘King of American Pennies’ due to its rarity and high value. One example sold for more than $130,000.
5. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent – This is another extremely rare coin from the early years of the Lincoln Cent. It is believed to have up to 13 known specimens, with one selling for more than $100,000.
6. 1877 Indian Head Cent – The 1877 Indian Head Cent is another very rare coin. It is believed only seven are in existence, with one selling for over $50,000.
7. 1914-D Lincoln Cent – These coins were produced in very small numbers and are extremely hard to come by. One example sold for more than $35,000.
8. 1922 Plain Lincoln Cent – This penny was made in small numbers by mistake, when dies were not properly recessed. A single example sold for more than $20,000.
9. 1870-S Indian Head Cent – This is a very rare penny with only five examples that are known to exist. Just one of these sold for more than $15,000.
10. 1877 Indian Head Cent, ‘Closed 3’- The Closed 3 is the reverse of the Open 3 and is known to be very rare, with only two known specimens. One sold for around $11,000.
Are any old pennies rare?
Yes, some old pennies are indeed rare. Depending on the issue date and mint mark of the penny, the rarity and corresponding value of the coin can vary significantly. For example, a 1943 Lincoln cent that was minted in Philadelphia often trades for several hundred dollars or more depending on the condition of the coin.
Another rare variation of the 1943 Lincoln cent is the so-called bronze or copper 1943 penny. Normally all 1943 Lincoln cents were made of steel due to war-time shortages, however a very small amount of bronze versions exist.
Although a few of these coins are probably from the original wartime minting, the majority of 1943 bronze pennies are believed to be die stress test pieces. Some of these rare coins have sold for prices upwards of $10,000 and above!
Another nice Lincoln cent to look for is the 1909-S. Produced at the San Francisco Mint, only 484,000 were made and due to the small quantity of coins they are very hard to find. In higher grades, these coins can fetch premiums upwards of $5,000 and more.
So as you can see, while all pennies are worth at least a few cents in Melt value, some old pennies can certainly be very rare and valuable to collect.
What is the error on a 1909 Lincoln penny?
An 1909 Lincoln penny can have a variety of errors associated with it, depending on the condition of the particular penny. One common error is known as “Excessive Die Wear,” which occurs when the design of the penny is worn away or corrupted due to wear and tear on the coin.
Another common error found on 1909 Lincoln pennies is a “Mint Marking Error,” which is caused when the mint mark on the reverse of the coin is either absent or misplaced. A third common error for the 1909 Lincoln penny is a “Blemish Error,” which occurs when the surface of the penny is smudged, shows signs of streaking or has other foreign material on it.
Finally, 1909 Lincoln pennies can often be found with a “Doubling Error,” where the design of the coin appears to have been double-stamped.
