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1909

Small Cents · Indian Head Cents · 1859–1909
Regular
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 14,370,645
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-421

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About this coinHistory

The 1909 Indian Head cent from Philadelphia is the final Philadelphia Mint issue of the design. After fifty years of continuous production (1859-1909), the Indian Head was being retired in favor of Victor David Brenner's Lincoln cent, commissioned by President Theodore Roosevelt as part of his broader effort to beautify American coinage. The 1909 Indian Head and the 1909 Lincoln cent circulated side by side during the transition year.

The 1909 Philadelphia mintage of approximately 14.4 million coins was modest by early-1900s standards but sufficient to be available in circulated grades. The coin is not rare, but it carries terminal-date appeal as the last Indian Head cent from the Mint that had produced every one since 1859. A 1909 Indian Head paired with an 1859 brackets the entire fifty-year series in two coins.

Many 1909 Indian Head cents were saved at the time of issue by people who knew the design was being replaced. The result is a higher-than-typical survival rate in better condition. Uncirculated examples are available, and the coin is popular with both Indian Head collectors completing their sets and type collectors wanting the final issue of a long-running design.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $8 $9
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $12.50 $14.50
F-12 Fine (F) $13.50 $16
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $16.50 $19
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $19.50 $23
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $25 $29
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $36 $42
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $88 $93
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1909 Indian Head Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $8–$9, rising to roughly $36–$42 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1909 Indian Head Cents were minted?
14,370,645 were struck.
What is a 1909 Indian Head Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1909 Indian Head Cent?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1909 Indian Head Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.