1909-S Indian Head Cent Value
A 1909-S Indian Head Cent is worth roughly $44.00 to $7,425 depending on its condition. Its intrinsic melt value stands at $0.03 based on spot prices from 2026-06-01 Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
1909-S Indian Head Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.03 |
| Good (G-4) | $44.00 to $74.50 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $64.00 to $108 |
| Fine (F-12) | $96.00 to $162 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $160 to $270 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $272 to $459 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $448 to $756 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $720 to $1,215 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $1,360 to $2,295 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $4,400 to $7,425 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
How much is a 1909-S Indian Head Cent worth today?
Start with $44.00 for a heavily circulated 1909-S Indian Head Cent and work upward. Lightly circulated 1909 examples occupy the middle of the range, while true gems approach $7,425. If your coin has no wear on the high points, it deserves a closer look or a professional opinion.
1909-S Indian Head Cent specifications
- Series
- Indian Head Cent
- Year
- 1909
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 309,000
- Composition
- Copper-nickel (1859-1864), then 95% copper bronze
- Weight
- 3.11 g
- Diameter
- 19.05 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- James Barton Longacre
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Identifying the San Francisco mint mark
On a 1909-S Indian Head Cent, the "S" mint mark of the San Francisco Mint sits on the reverse, below the wreath (only 1908-S and 1909-S carry a mint mark). A loupe helps: on worn examples the letter can fade into the surrounding devices.
Where this coin's value comes from
There is history in a 1909 Indian Head Cent as well. San Francisco struck the only mint-marked issues at the very end, and the 1909-S, with 309,000 pieces, is the series key. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
With a mintage of just 309,000, the 1909-S Indian Head Cent is one of the celebrated key dates of the Indian Head Cent series. Survivors are scarce in every grade, and demand from series collectors keeps prices firm year after year.
Summary: the 1909-S Indian Head Cent is valued between $44.00 and $7,425 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.