1909 1c Indian MS RB

1909 Cent Production: The Mint changed its procedure for making cent dies this year. For this date only, and continuing on all Lincoln cents, the entire design with the date was sunk into the die at one time. Prior to this year the procedure was to add the date after the obverse die was sunk with the design and legend. This change eliminated the possibility of a repunched date. Every cent with doubling on the date from this year onward is called a doubled die, rather than a repunched date.

Up until this time, many of the planchets used were purchased by contract from manufacturing companies. This year the Mint crafted its own planchets for the entire mintage.

Coinage of Indian Head cents ceased mid-year, awaiting the new Lincoln design by Victor D. Brenner to be finished. The 1909 mintage is the lowest since 1885.

Survivability: As the last Indian Head cent, many people put away examples of this date. Many roll quantities existed, making this the most common date in gem full red condition. However, most of the 1909 cents put away were the new Lincoln design with the designer’s initials V.D.B. on the reverse, which are today on the order of 100 times more common than the 1909 Indian Head cent. In lower grades the coin is as common as any other, although catalogers tend to price it a bit higher than earlier dates. Only in Good and Very Good is it slightly scarcer, but not enough to warrant paying more.

Collecting Challenges: Search out exceptional pieces. Try not to pay a large premium over other common dates.

Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is AU-50 to MS-63RB. These come well struck, so buy the most attractive coin available.

Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-65RD. This is the most readily available date in the series in high grade. Select eyeappealing examples.

Collecting Proof Issues: 1909 Proofs tend to be available with good eye appeal. Gem full red examples are diffcult to find. Mirrors tend to be moderate, with cameo examples being fairly scarce. As a year with three designs (Indian Head, Lincoln with V.D.B., and Lincoln without V.D.B.), there is slightly higher demand for this date over others.

No repunched dates are possible, as the date was added to the hub instead of to coinage dies starting this year. At least two dies are known with doubling on the designer’s initial L. This is a minor doubled die and is relatively common.