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← 1909 VDB Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Wheat Cents • 1909–1958 1909-S S/S Horizontal S →
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1909-S

Small Cents · Lincoln Wheat Cents · 1909–1958
Semi-key
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19 mm
MintSan Francisco
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 1,825,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc
DesignerVictor D. Brenner
Collector's Key IDCK-428

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Varieties & References

Other recorded varieties for 1909-S:

External references

About this coinHistory

The 1909-S Lincoln cent was the first Lincoln cent produced at the San Francisco Mint. The mintage of approximately 1.8 million coins is low enough to make the date a semi-key in the series. San Francisco had just begun producing cents the previous year (the 1908-S Indian Head was the first), and the allocation for 1909 was modest. The small S mintmark appears below the date on the obverse.

The 1909-S is collected alongside the 1909-S VDB as part of the famous 1909 San Francisco pair. Many collectors pursuing the 1909-S VDB also want the no-VDB version to complete the year. The 1909-S without VDB is more affordable than the VDB version but still carries a meaningful premium over common-date Lincoln cents. Examples in Good to Fine are available, and the coin does not present the authentication challenges of the more valuable 1909-S VDB.

Finding a well-struck 1909-S with original brown or red-brown surfaces in Very Fine or better takes some searching. The low mintage means fewer coins survived in any grade, and the early San Francisco Lincoln cents tend to have softer strikes than their Philadelphia counterparts. A sharp example with good eye appeal is worth more than the grade alone suggests.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $67 $77
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $80 $92
F-12 Fine (F) $94 $108
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $116 $134
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $126 $146
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $183 $210
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $285 $330
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $425 $450
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $67–$77, rising to roughly $285–$330 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cents were minted?
1,825,000 were struck.
What is a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat 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-S Lincoln Wheat Cent a key date?
It's a semi-key date — scarcer than common issues but more available than the series' key dates.