Transition to a new US Cent

Production of the Indian Head Cent began in Philadelphia in 1859. In 1907 it was getting close to 50 years in production.

President Theodore Roosevelt decided to replace it with a new design starting in 1909. As the 100^th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth in 1809 approached, the American public supported the idea of having a bust of Lincoln on the new cent. This was the first time that a bust of a real person would be used for a US coin.

Victor D. Brenner was chosen to design both sides of the coin, with the obverse based on a plaque he had made of Lincoln in 1907.

Production of the new Lincoln Cent started in 1909.

Later Days of the Indian Head Cent

Indian Head Cents were minted exclusively in Philadelphia from 1859 through 1907. In 1908 and 1909 the San Francisco mint produced a low quantity of Indian Cents.

The location for the ‘S’ Mint Mark was chosen to be beneath the wreath on the reverse.

Philadelphia did not use a mint mark for the coins they produced.

Early Days of the Lincoln Cent

In 1909 both Philadelphia and San Francisco started producing the new Lincoln Wheat Cent. Denver would not join in production until 1911. The three US Mints would produce all of the Wheat Cents

The location for the Mint Mark was chosen to be beneath the date on the obverse

The San Francisco Mint Mark is a capital ‘S’

Philadelphia did not use a mint mark

The Denver Mint Mark is a capital ‘D’

First Year Controversy

Victor D. Brenner’s initials were placed at the bottom of the reverse of the Wheat Cents for initial production. There was some objection to that as it was seen to be advertising for the designer. This resulted in the initials being removed in the Fall of 1909.

This created a collector’s coin because the 1909 cents with the VDB initials were few compared to those without them.

Value of 1909 coins

1909 is a good year for high valued US Cents. The 1909-S Indian Cent is second to the 1877 in value. The 1909-S VDB is the highest valued standard Lincoln Cent. The table below shows some current wholesale values assuming the coins are Brown in color. The Red (copper colored) coins are more valuable.

Conclusions

1909 is an interesting year for US Cent collectors. It contains some perennial favorites. These are scarce even at coin shows and clubs. They are available online, for example on eBay.

Quite a few coins in the series have a low mintage, which portends higher prices in time.