1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Value
Depending on how well it survived, a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent brings anywhere from $44.00 to $7,425, and its metal content alone is worth $0.03 as of 2026-06-01 Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
1909-S Lincoln Wheat 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.
What is a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent worth right now?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent starts around $44.00. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $7,425. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent specifications
- Series
- Lincoln Wheat Cent
- Year
- 1909
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 1,825,000
- Composition
- 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc (bronze); zinc-coated steel in 1943
- Weight
- 3.11 g
- Diameter
- 19.05 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- Victor David Brenner
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Where is the mint mark on a 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent?
On a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, the "S" mint mark of the San Francisco Mint sits on the obverse, below the date on the right side of Lincoln's portrait. A loupe helps: on worn examples the letter can fade into the surrounding devices.
What makes the 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent valuable
Scarcity drives this coin: 1,825,000 struck, far fewer surviving. Series collectors all need one, and that perpetual demand against a fixed supply is the engine behind its value.
There is history in a 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent as well. initials prominently on the reverse, public outcry forced their removal within days, instantly creating the 1909-S VDB, the most famous key date in American numismatics with just 484,000 struck. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
Summary: the 1909-S Lincoln Wheat 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.