Learn More About U.S. Indian Head Cents (1859-1909) The Indian Head penny has long been a popular coin among coin collectors due to the historical significance of its era. The 1864-L, 1877, 1908-S, and 1909. I would like to see the full obverse of the coin, since one of the main characteristics I use in authenticating a 1909-S Indian is the first three feathertips, and we can't see them in your images. Here's a LINK that should help with authentication. The design of the Indian Head Penny was the brainchild of James Longacre, the acting engraver of the US Mint. In a letter to the director of the US Mint James Snowden, Longacre made his case for his newly incepted design by saying. (1859 to 1909) Values, specifications, and images for indian head penny coins from the United States of America Indian Head USA one cent (penny) values, pg 1 (1859 to 1872) Indian Head USA one cent (penny) values, pg 2 (1873 to 1890).
The 1909-S Indian Head Cent (Buy on eBay) is another key date, with the lowest reported mintage of the series at 309,000 pieces. Also of interest, this coin represents one of only two years that Indian Cents were produced at the San Francisco Mint and marks the final year for the series. In the same year, the production of the Lincoln Cent began, which was marked by the famous 1909-S VDB.
It is said that most of the scant mintage of the 1909-S Indian Cent was soon retracted from circulation and hoarded as a monument to the design. Because of the impact of the hoarding, the coin is not as rare as the mintage would suggest. Examples, however, are always in demand and pieces with good eye-appeal are hard find.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: James B. Longacre
- Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Diameter: 19 mm
- Edge: Plain
- 1909 Lincoln Wheat Pennies
Coin Info
1909 was the first year that the Lincoln Wheat Penny was minted. Replacing Indian Head Pennies, which were minted from 1859 through 1909, Lincoln Pennies were welcomed by massive crowds that gathered at banks on August 2nd when the new one-cent coins arrived in commerce. While the coins were highly popular with the public from day one, there was initial outcry about the prominence of the initials of Victor David Brenner, the designer of the Lincoln Wheat Penny. His initials, VDB, are located on the reverse side near the rim and centered below the wheat stalks. The quick removal of the initials led to the creation of several varieties of Wheat Penny coins, which are discussed below.
The Rare 1909 Wheat Penny Coins
The first Wheat Penny coins in 1909 were minted at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints and were struck for a few weeks before the removal of the VDB initials. Because of the short period of time during which 1909 VDB Pennies were struck, there is a relatively small number of these coins in existence. There were 27,995,000 1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny coins made and just 484,000 1909-S VDB Lincoln cents struck.
The latter coin is one with which you may be more familiar; given its very small original population, there are many times fewer 1909-S VDB coins available than coin collector demand requires, and therefore values on this scarce coin are higher than for any other regular-issue Lincoln cent. In fact, even the most highly worn 1909-S VDB Lincoln cents command a price of $600 to $800, with many in better grades selling for much more. The non-VDB Lincoln cents of 1909 – the 1909 and 1909-S – are also popular coins, though more than 72 million of non-VDB 1909 Pennies were struck.
The 1909-S Lincoln Penny is a somewhat scarce coin (1,825,000 struck) that usually sells for between $100 and $200 in the lower worn grades. There is a noteworthy die variety among 1909-S (non-VDB) Pennies that incorporates a regular S mintmark over a horizontal S. These are worth approximately the same value as regular 1909-S Pennies.
Other Years From This Coin Series
1909 Indian Head Penny Uncirculated
I’ve noticed that there isn’t a “worth” for the 1909 VDB Philadelphia penny. I have one but have no idea the value & would appreciate if you could let me know. Frankly i just like finding odd & old coins.