1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent (V.D.B. potential)
United States Mint (San Francisco) · Collectibles & Antiques > Coins & Paper Money
Era / Decade
1909 (Turn of the Century)
Material
95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Condition
Poor/Heavily Circulated. Significant surface corrosion, pitting, and deep scratches (post-mint damage). Detail is heavily obscured.
Demand Level
Niche/Moderate. Collectors usually avoid 'culls' or heavily damaged coins unless they are rare key dates for a budget 'hole filler' in an album.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
$5.00 - $40.00 (Due to extreme damage/pitting and risk of being a counterfeit).
Estimated Retail Value
$0.01 (Face Value) / Collector value for a 1909-S starts at $80+ in G-4 condition.
Comparable Sales
Damaged/pitted 1909-S pennies often sell for $20-$50 depending on the visibility of the date. Clean G-4 (Good) specimens sell for $80-$100+.
Description
Circulated 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Penny. Features the San Francisco 'S' mint mark. The coin shows extreme environmental damage, pitting, and a deep 'M' or zigzag scratch on the right field. While 1909-S is a key date, the condition is severely compromised.
Key Features
Key date year (1909) and rare 'S' (San Francisco) mint mark. First year of the Lincoln Cent design.
Authenticity Indicators
S mint mark placement appears plausible, but the heavy damage makes verifying 'V.D.B.' on the reverse impossible here. Red Flag: Pitting can sometimes hide cast-counterfeit bubbles or 'added mint mark' seams. Confidence: Low-Medium without seeing the reverse.
Flaws to Note
Extensive surface pitting (acid or environmental damage), heavy scratches across the date and bust, and significant corrosion. These flaws likely make the coin 'Details' graded by professional services.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a 'Details/Damaged' coin) or local coin shops. Coin shops may offer very little due to the damage.
Selling Tips
Do NOT clean this coin; it will further destroy value. Provide a high-resolution photo of the reverse to see if it has the 'V.D.B.' initials. List it with 'As-Is' and 'Damaged' clearly in the title to avoid returns.