How do I know if my 1909 penny is the valuable one?
Four different 1909 Lincoln cents exist, and they are worlds apart in value. Two things decide which one you have: the small mint mark under the date on the front, and the tiny VDB initials centered at the bottom of the reverse, between the wheat stalks and the rim.
| Variety | Mint mark under date | VDB on reverse | Mintage | What that means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 VDB | None (Philadelphia) | Yes | Nearly 28 million | Common; a modest collector premium |
| 1909 plain | None (Philadelphia) | No | Over 72 million | Common first-year cent |
| 1909-S | S (San Francisco) | No | About 1.8 million | Scarce semi-key, a real find |
| 1909-S VDB | S (San Francisco) | Yes | 484,000 | The king: high hundreds worn, five figures uncirculated |
The trap most inherited-collection owners fall into is the Philadelphia 1909 VDB: it has the famous initials but no mint mark, and nearly 28 million were struck. Without the S under the date, the initials alone add only a modest premium. The S is everything.
Why does a 1909-S VDB need authentication?
Because it is one of the most counterfeited coins in American numismatics. The classic fake is not a cast copy but a real 1909 cent with an S mint mark added by hand, or a genuine 1909-S with initials tooled onto the reverse. The mint mark's exact shape, position and serifs, and the crispness of the VDB, are what a trained eye checks first.
That check is free at the counter. Bring the coin in as it is, never cleaned, and it is examined in front of you at no charge and with no obligation. If it is genuine, high-grade examples are usually worth certifying, and our certified coin page explains how graded pieces are priced on the holder. If it is an altered coin, you leave knowing the truth instead of paying a grading fee to learn it.
The rest of the wheat-cent story, from common dates to the other keys like the 1914-D and the 1955 doubled die, is covered in our wheat penny value guide.
Where can I sell a 1909-S VDB in New Jersey?
Any of our 8 Central New Jersey counters: Aberdeen, Brick, East Brunswick, Farmingdale, Manalapan, Middlesex, Millstone, and New Brunswick. The coin is authenticated in front of you, graded holders from PCGS or NGC are priced on the certification, and raw coins are evaluated on their merits. We buy outright with same-day cash, and collector value is always checked before anything else. Call (732) 483-4145 with questions before you come in.
Think you have the king of wheat cents? Authentication is free, in front of you, no appointment needed.
Find your nearest of our 8 stores1909-S VDB wheat penny FAQs
Why is the 1909-S VDB wheat penny so valuable?
Public outcry over designer Victor David Brenner's initials forced the Mint to remove the VDB within days of the Lincoln cent's 1909 debut. San Francisco had struck only 484,000 before the change, the smallest figure of any regular-issue wheat cent, and demand for the series' most famous coin has never let up.
What does VDB stand for on a wheat penny?
Victor David Brenner, the sculptor who designed the Lincoln cent. His initials sit at the bottom center of the wheat reverse on 1909 VDB coins, and from 1918 onward they returned in tiny form on Lincoln's shoulder on the front.
Is a 1909 VDB penny without a mint mark valuable?
Only modestly. The Philadelphia 1909 VDB had a mintage of nearly 28 million, so it carries just a small premium over common wheat cents. The rare coin is the San Francisco version: the S mint mark under the date is what makes the value.
Are fake 1909-S VDB pennies common?
Yes. The usual counterfeit is a genuine 1909 cent with an S mint mark added, or initials tooled onto a 1909-S. Authentication at our counter is free and happens in front of you before any offer is discussed.