• 1909 Penny Value Uncirculated
• Pennies Worth Money
• 1909 Penny Value United States

Looking for Lincoln Wheat penny values can be tricky because many of the price guides that are available online offer confusing information about what a coin might fetch based on its physical condition.

• NGC's Coin Price Guide for Lincoln Cents, Wheat Reverse (1909-1958).
• 1909 United States one cent value. What is a 1909 US penny worth? (Lincoln wheat, San Francisco mint, VDB variety) Value, specifications, and images for the 1909 Lincoln wheat one cent coin from the United States of America. Sheldon Coin Grading System - pg 1, circulated coins.

All too often, online pricing info is tailored to what a “perfect” coin might be worth. That's definitely exciting if you’ve got, say, a 1941 Lincoln cent that “could be” worth $1,000 or $5,000 in pristine condition. But what is a well-worn example from pocket change worth in reality? That’s quite a different story. . .

The wheat penny is a classic iconic early 21st century American coin with a face value of 1 cent that was minted from 1909 to 1956. On a personal note we just love. 1909-S Lincoln cent Nice original coin. Ending Oct 12 at 2:38PM PDT.

First, The Bad News. . .

If you’ve come to this page hoping that Lincoln Wheat cent you’ve pulled out of your pocket change is going to pay off your car or help put your kids through college, you might want to be sitting down. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Lincoln Wheat pennies found in circulation, inherited folder collections, or in jars of old coins are worth less than 10 cents apiece.

In fact, with the exceptions of major errors and varieties, no Lincoln wheat penny struck after 1933 is worth more than 10 cents in worn condition, and most are worth only 2 or 3 cents. Well-worn 1943 steel pennies often trade for 5 to 10 cents apiece in well-worn condition. But chances are any of the Lincoln Wheat cents you’ve found in pocket change are going to be worth only a small amount over face value.

Now, The Good News!

While most worn, common-date Lincoln Wheat pennies aren’t worth more than 10 cents, there are many Lincoln Wheat cents that are worth much more, and by quite a bit. There are four major regular-issue key dates in the series and several valuable semi-key dates, varieties, and errors, too.

Key Date Wheat Pennies

The major Lincoln Wheat cent key dates include:

• 1909-S
• 1909-S VDB
• 1914-D
• 1931-S

1909 Penny Value Uncirculated

Important semi-key dates are:

• 1909 VDB
• 1910-S
• 1911-S
• 1912-S
• 1913-S
• 1914-S
• 1915-S
• 1922-D
• 1924-D
• 1926-S

Then there are the “better dates” (or “better issues”)—those that may not necessarily rise to the status of being a bona fide semi-key date but are nevertheless more valuable than the common dates. These include:

• 1909
• 1911-D
• 1912
• 1912-D
• 1913-D
• 1915-D
• 1916-D
• 1916-S
• 1920-D
• 1921-S
• 1923-S
• 1925-D
• 1925-S
• 1926-D
• 1927-D
• 1927-S
• 1928-S
• 1931-D
• 1932
• 1932-D
• 1933
• 1933-D

Finally, there are the varieties and errors, which constitute some of the most valuable Lincoln Wheat pennies in the series. These are not necessarily required for completing a set of Lincoln Wheat cents, yet many collectors pursue them anyway. Here’s a glance at the most widely collected, most popular errors and varieties and what they’re worth:

• 1909-S S Over Horizontal S
• 1917 Doubled Die
• 1922 No D
• 1922 Weak D
• 1943 Bronze
• 1943-D Doubled Mintmark
• 1944 Steel
• 1955 Doubled Die

Steel Wheat cent

What Are These Wheat Pennies Worth?

The chart below provides an approximate estimate on retail values for the Lincoln cents individually listed above. It also provides values for the Wheat penny date ranges not specifically mentioned above. Value breakdowns are for coins in average circulated (VG8 to VF20) condition and average uncirculated condition (MS62-MS64).

*Values above are for problem-free coins with no signs of damage, including holes, major gouges, scratches, or cleanings.

Collecting Lincoln Wheat Cents

The Lincoln penny is not just one of the most widely collected issues among all United States coinage, but it’s also one of the most familiar coins anywhere in the world. While the Lincoln Wheat cent is a long-obsolete coin that has been gradually disappearing from circulation over the past decades, it remains one of the first coin collectors begin searching for. Yet, even many of the most advanced collectors stick to collecting Lincoln cents throughout their lives.

A great many numismatists focus on studying and collecting Lincoln Wheat cents exclusively, in part because the series is so complex and lends to so many incredible finds. New discoveries are still being made among the Lincoln Wheat penny, including repunched mintmarks and other minor and major die varieties of varying significance.

Many collectors will build sets of Lincoln Wheat pennies using cardboard folders, deluxe albums, or museum-quality Lucite holders. Then there are the collectors who seek high-grade examples encapsulated by third-party coin grading firms and use these coins to build registry sets. But there is no right or wrong way to collect Lincoln pennies!

As Lincoln Wheat penny values range all over the price spectrum, the series offers something for just about everybody regardless of their income or collecting level. And, because of this, the Lincoln cent reigns to this day as one of the most versatile, beloved coin series and rightly claims a strong following of millions of collectors in the United States and around the globe.

Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez is a journalist, editor, and blogger who has won multiple awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He has also authored numerous books, including works profiling the history of the United States Mint and United States coinage.

More from the author:

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 | Silver $26.90

How to accurately judge 1909 Lincoln penny value. Lincoln wheat cents are very popular with collectors and inspected closely to judge how much they are worth.

Steps Leading to Value:

• Step 1: Date and Mintmark Variety – Identify each date and its mintmark variety.
• Step 2: Grading Condition – Judge condition to determine grade.
• Step 3: Special Qualities – Certain elements either enhance or detract from value

Popularity of collecting Lincoln Wheat cents is the driving force behind values. A focus on each of the dates, along with the mint that struck the coin is typically how they are assembled into a collection. 1909 is significant and prized as the introduction year of the Lincoln design.

Pennies Worth Money

Listings on the chart also separate values by the condition of the coin. Key elements found and displayed on the coin's surface are inspected and judged to determine a grade. This step is not as daunting as it may seem. Comparing your coin to images of the different grades gives a good indication to condition.

Step 1: | Date and Mintmark Combination

Value in Mintmarks - Identify Your Coin's Listing on the Chart

1909 saw four variations involving a combination of mintmark and the designer's initials. Victor D. Brenner designed the Lincoln cent and when first minted his initials V.D.B. were placed on the reverse design. Later removal of the initials in 1909 caused varieties of with and with-out these initials.

Careful recognition of the exact variation is needed. Value differences are quite large.

1909-VDB Lincoln Penny

No Mintmark Under Date: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin

First minting of 1909 showed the initials V.D.B. placed on the reverse at the bottom close to the rim. A very collectible and desirable coin both in the past and today. Because of its 'first of year' status many were saved. An affordable iconic year and design.

1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny

'S' Mintmark Under Date: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin

These were the first Lincoln pennies struck at San Francisco and are notable for the V.D.B. at the lower rim. Production numbers were small and the coins soon became highly sought. Today it is considered a major key date and mint to the series and is collectible in all grades.

Grading the condition is very important. Since values are high, having these authenticated by one of the top Coin Grading Services is routine. Assurance of both authenticity and grade solidifies value.

1909 Lincoln Penny

No Mintmark Under Date: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin

Removal of the initials from the reverse created a third variety of 1909 penny. Millions were struck and many were saved. Values begin to increase in the higher grades, judgement of condition using the grading images below helps determine worth.

1909-S Lincoln Penny

'S' Mintmark Under Date: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin

Identity of this variety is the absence of the V.D.B. initials on the reverse. Also considered a key to the series because of a relatively low mintage number. Collectors value the coin highly in all grades and nicer condition coins are well received.

An extra moment or two judging condition is needed to arrive at it true worth. Value and the fact that altered coins are known requires authentication. Coin Grading Services, both authenticate and grade providing assurance and accurate determination of condition.

Step 2: | Judge Condition to Identify Grade

Grading Finds Accurate 1909 Penny Value

Value differences listed on the chart reflect the condition - grade of the coin. Amount of wear to the surface is judged and compared to images and descriptions.

Best approach to grading is review the image of an uncirculated coin first. Identifying the depth of the design, knowing the high and low areas, helps in determining degrees of wear.

Uncirculated Condition: A coin with no wear to the surface is graded as 'uncirculated'. These coins are at the top of the collectible and value scale.

Look closely at the hair just above the ear of Lincoln. A small tuft of hair curls over and just covers the very top of the ear. An uncirculated coin displays the curl with a rounded profile and clearly separated and raised from the forehead. Any wear shows as a flattening and smoothing effect.

Extremely Fine Condition: A small amount of wear scattered over the high points of the design identifies the grade.

1909 Penny Value United States

A small curl of hair at the top of the ear now displays a minor but distinct flatness to its once rounded profile. In some instances, the curl has blended with the forehead. However, the curl is clearly separated from the larger curl of hair just above.

Other areas of the hair also are beginning to show evidence of minor flattening. Importantly, the majority of hair detail is well separated.

Fine Condition: Wear has caused many areas of Lincoln's design to become flattened.

Inspecting the curl of hair above the ear shows most of the detail is lost. Once separated, the curl is now worn smooth and connected to the surrounding areas. Notably, the curl is now merged with the forehead.

Despite loss of minor detail, overall many areas are defined and a certain 'sharpness' is displayed.

Good Condition: Heavy wear describes the 'Good' grade. Most of the design elements to Lincoln's portrait are now worn smooth.

Defining the 'Good' grade shows the coin has worn to the point hair detail surrounding the ear is missing. Now worn to a level plane, little remains of the hair with just the central portion of the ear showing any detail. On a positive note, due to the depth of the overall design, a clear outline of Lincoln is still bold.

Detecting wear and condition by examining all parts of the coin's surface confirms a grade. As values climb higher many additional factors are used to decide the grade and worth.

Grading Lincoln Wheat Pennies covers the grading process in more detail. Additional images and descriptions identify subtle points to grading.

Step 3: | Special Qualities Enhancing Value

1909-S Over S Mint Mark Variety

Variety and error collecting of Lincoln cents has become popular today. Many anomalies have occurred over time to the coins. One in particular has gained interest with the 1909 cent and is known as the 'S Over Horizontal S' variety.

When punching the 'S' mintmark to the working die, the first punching was orientated horizontally. A second punching of the 'S' corrected the problem; however, an indication of the first 'S' remains visible. Thus, creating a scarce 'S' mint variety.

Look closely under magnification at the 'S' mintmark of any 1909-S Lincoln cent. A faint impression of an underlying 'S' mark is visible on a few minted. A 10% premium is placed on these in circulated grades. In the higher mint state grades, the premium is slightly less.

Lincoln Penny Handling and Preservation

Minimum value of 1909 pennies along with their status as a sought-after collectible is best preserved by handling the coins gently. Hold by the edges and avoid touching the surface of the coin. Contact with other coins is also 'detrimental' to their well-being. Additionally, moisture and humidity are particularly harmful and rapidly lowers the surface quality of copper coins.

A quick and temporary measure to separate coins individually is placing them in a small plastic bag. A note of caution: avoid wrapping coins in paper as it exposes them to chemicals that harm their surface. A longer-term solution to housing coins is using one of the many coin 'flips' designed specifically for the purpose. For a detailed discussion see: Safe Coin Storage

US Treasury. Preparation of Working Dieshttps://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/working-dies.aspx
US Mint. 1909 US Mint Report https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/51

Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles

Date by Date
In Depth Lincoln Penny Value
Early Era 1909 to 1933

Date by Date
In Depth Lincoln Penny Value
Second Era 1934 to 1958

Lincoln Wheat cents span the years 1909 through 1958. From the top condition coins collected by advanced collectors to worn examples; to an affordable collection for young collectors, the range of value is extensive. Identify your date, mint and condition and refer to the value chart.

★Coin Values Discovery finds 1909 Penny Value and...

All US coin values. Recognize your old coins using the image links leading to value charts. Date | Mintmark | Condition are considered; all described and imaged within each series. Surprising value is often found in the smallest of detail.