2009-S 1c Formative Years PR RD DCAM

Designer: Obverse: Victor D. Brenner; Reverse: See image captions for reverse designers. Weight: Regular-issue Coins: 2.5 grams; Special Coins Included in Collector Sets: 3.1 grams. Composition: Regular-issue Coins: copper-plated zinc (core: .992 zinc, .008 copper, with a plating of pure copper; total content .975 zinc, .025 copper); Special Coins Included in Collector Sets: .950 copper, .050 tin and zinc. Diameter: 19 mm. Edge: Plain. Mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco.

Key to Collecting: The one-cent coins issued during 2009 pay unique tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, commemorating the bicentennial of his birth and the 100th anniversary of the first issuance of the Lincoln cent. Four different reverse designs were issued by the U.S. Mint, each representing a major aspect of Lincoln’s life. The obverse retained the traditional profile portrait of previous years.

The coins issued for general circulation were made of the exact same copper-plated composition used in the cent since 1982. Special versions struck for inclusion in collector sets were made of the same alloy as the first Lincoln cents of 1909—95 parts copper and 5 parts tin and zinc—and with a Satin finish.

Cents of this year were minted in quantities that, while large, were much smaller than for previous years (in the hundreds of millions, rather than multiple billions), if each of the four designs is considered individually. They are readily available in the numismatic marketplace, and are starting to be seen more frequently in circulation.

Several die varieties (both circulation-strike and Proof) exist with minor doubling in the Formative Years reverse. Their values, which vary generally according to the severity of the doubling, are not yet firmly established with an active buy-and-sell market.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Striking is generally sharp. The quality of the fields can vary. Some 2009 cents, even from original rolls and bags, have surface marks that look like water spots.

Proof Coins: High-quality Proofs (PF-69 and 70) are common in the secondary market. All Proof Lincoln Bicentennial cents are mirror Proofs, usually with cameo or frosted contrast between the devices and the fields.