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The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent is perhaps the most famous of all issues in this long-running series. The lowest-mintage regular-issue piece with a mintage of only 484,000, it is still available with relative regularity and many examples are available under the same roof at any given large coin'show. Still, many Lincoln cent enthusiasts consider this coin the holy grail of numismatics and it is without a doubt one of the most sought-after coins around.
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent saw such a low mintage because public outcry over the prominently displayed initials of the coin's designer, Victor David Brenner (VDB), caused the removal of the offending VDB inscription from the bottom-center of the coin's reverse shortly after this issue debuted. However, many in the public were aware of the controversy and hoarded 1909-S VDB pennies in large numbers. Thus, there are many survivors in circulated condition as well as throughout most of the Brown and Red-Brown uncirculated grades. According to numismatic experts, some 20,000 specimens exist, making it a rarity that can be acquired for a cost.
Obverse Description
Bust of Abraham Lincoln framed by IN GOD WE TRUST on the top periphery. The word LIBERTY to the left of the portrait and the date and mintmark (If any) positioned on the right side.
Reverse Description
Wheat ears flanking the words ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on the top perimeter. The deisgner's initials V.D.B. appear on the bottom periphery.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1799
Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Obverse Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 1909, S
Reverse Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Reverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, V.D.B.
Weight (gr):
3.11 gr
Weight (oz):
0.11 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1909-S VDB
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
484,000
Coinage Type:
Lincoln Cent
Coinage Years:
1909-1958
Composition:
95% copper; 5% zinc & tin
PCGS #:
2426
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Coin Value History
1909-S VDB 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1909-S VDB 1c MS BN
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$30,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $24,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1909-S 1C VDB XF40 PCGS. CDN: $1,200 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,281
1909-S 1C VDB VF25 PCGS. CDN: $990 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,098
1909-S 1C VDB XF45 PCGS. CDN: $1,280 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,403
1909-S 1C VDB AU53 PCGS. CDN: $1,385 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,708
1909-S 1C VDB VG8 PCGS. CDN: $700 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG8 . Mintage 484,000. ...
$885
1909-S 1C VDB Good 4 PCGS. PCGS Population: 52 in 4, 16008 finer (12/25). CDN: $630 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Good 4 . Mintag...
$763
1909-S 1C VDB Fine 12 PCGS. CDN: $800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 12. Mintage 484,000. ...
$885
1909-S 1C VDB AU55 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,403
1909-S 1C VDB Fine 15 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 484,000....
$976
1909-S 1C VDB VF20 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,159
1909-S 1C VDB AU58 CACG. Mintage 484,000. ...
$2,806
1909-S 1C VDB MS62 Brown PCGS. CDN: $1,800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 484,000. ...
$2,074
1909-S 1C VDB MS63 Brown PCGS. CAC. CDN: $2,040 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 484,000. ...
$2,684
1909-S 1C VDB MS64 Brown PCGS. ...
$3,904
1909-S 1C VDB, Good 6 PCGS. CDN: $660 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Good 6 . Mintage 484,000. ...
$750
1909-S 1C VDB, VG10 PCGS. CDN: $760 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VG10. Mintage 484,000. ...
$840
1909-S 1C VDB, AU50 NGC. CDN: $1,350 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,441
1909-S 1C VDB, VF35 PCGS. CDN: $1,140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF35. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,200
1909-S 1C VDB VF30 PCGS. Mintage 484,000....
$1,080
1909-S 1C VDB MS61 Brown PCGS. Mintage 484,000. ...
$1,920
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS BN [Type]
Worth: $0 – $45
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RB [Type]
Worth: $0 – $55
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RD [Type]
Worth: $0 – $80
1909 VDB 1c MS BN
Worth: $2 – $450
1909 VDB 1c MS RB
Worth: $22 – $22,000
1909 VDB 1c MS RD
Worth: $40 – $50,000
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS BN
Worth: $10 – $330
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS RB
Worth: $130 – $750
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS RD
Worth: $175 – $10,000
1909-S VDB 1c MS RB
Worth: $1,850 – $35,000
1909-S VDB 1c MS RD
Worth: $2,000 – $150,000
1909 1c Lincoln MS BN
Worth: $0 – $960
1909 1c Lincoln MS RB
Worth: $25 – $1,440
1909 1c Lincoln MS RD
Worth: $40 – $3,000
1909-S 1c Lincoln MS BN
Worth: $40 – $1,320
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