
If someone tells you they will give you either a 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent or a 1909-S Indian Cent, which will you go for?
1909 ends 50 years of the Indian Cent and introduces a new design to the world. The new cent puts Abraham Lincoln on the obverse to honor the centennial anniversary of his birth.
Both cents are from Philadelphia and San Francisco that year. In fact, before 1908, cents only come from the Philadelphia mint. San Francisco has only minted silver and gold coins, but in 1908, an ‘S’ mint mark appears on a cent for the first time.
So, which will you prefer, a 1909-S Indian Cent or a 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent? Let’s see…
1909-S Indian Cent

Although cents are starting in San Francisco, they will produce significantly less of them than Philadelphia. Only 309,000 Indian Cents come from San Francisco, making the 1909-S the rarest Indian Cent.
1909-S Indian Cent Is The True Key
Even the popular 1877 Indian Cent has more at 852,500. Even though there are less than half as many 1909-S cents as 1877, the 1877 cent is worth twice as much as the 1909-S in good condition and more than three times in uncirculated condition. Some believe this is because people are holding onto the 1909-S cents knowing that it is the last year of the Indian Cent. Others believe there are significantly less 1877s minted. In any case, the 1909-S Indian Cent is definitely under evaluated.
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent

On August 2nd, the first Lincoln Cents will come out to the public. At the bottom of the reverse of the coin was the designer Victor D. Brenner’s initials, VDB. Back then, there is opposition of the initials appearing on the coin. Some think it is personal advertising for the designer. Back then, most coins only have the last initial of the designer and Charles Barber, whose last initial ‘B’ appears on the current dimes, quarters and half dollars, isn’t too happy to see just a ‘B’ on the penny.
The mint stops minting the cents with the initials and the remainder of the year would see no VDB on the reverse. Only 484,000 VDB Lincoln Cents are minted in San Francisco. Even though there are less 1909-S Indian Cents than 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cents, the Lincoln Cent is more popular and more sought at, and have a value higher than the Indian Cent.
1909-S Lincoln Cent

With the 1909-S Lincoln Cent being minted the remaining third of the year, it will have a higher mintage than the Indian Cent and VDB Lincoln Cent combined, at 1,825,000. This would make it the least valuable of the three, but still not bad since it is worth $100 in good condition and $300 in uncirculated condition.
The Moral Of The Story
When looking at coins, rarity is not the only factor that makes a coin more valuable. Most people don’t realize back then that there are less 1909-S Indian Cents than the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cents. The VDB Lincoln Cents are minted in less time. So, most people think there are less of them and go for them over the Indian Cent. So, do your research when looking at rare coins. Of course, if you do get one of these cents, make sure it’s a legitimate San Francisco cent. Some counterfeiters will try to add a ‘S’ mint mark to a 1909 Philadelphia Cent.
Good luck on your coin collection endeavors!