1909 United States Cent Value
Expect a 1909 United States Cent to trade between about $0.03 and $0.36, driven almost entirely by grade, and its metal content alone is worth $0.03 as of 2026-06-01 See the grade table below for exactly where your coin falls.
Melt estimated at 95% copper (US bronze standard).
1909 United States Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.03 |
| Good (G-4) | $0.03 to $0.04 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $0.03 to $0.04 |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.03 to $0.04 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $0.03 to $0.05 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $0.04 to $0.05 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $0.05 to $0.06 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $0.06 to $0.09 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $0.10 to $0.14 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $0.26 to $0.36 |
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.
Current 1909 United States Cent value
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1909 United States Cent starts around $0.03. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $0.36. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1909 United States Cent specifications
- Series
- United States Coinage
- Year
- 1909
- Mint mark
- None (Philadelphia)
- Mintage
- Not recorded
- Composition
- Bronze
- Weight
- 3.464 g
- Diameter
- 19 mm
Reading a coin with no mint mark
The 1909 United States Cent comes from Philadelphia, which struck coins without a mint mark. If the spot where branch-mint coins show a letter is empty on your 1909, that is exactly as it should be.
What makes the 1909 United States Cent valuable
Without a firm mintage figure, the 1909 United States Cent trades on what actually turns up. Documented museum specimens give collectors a benchmark for authenticity and typical preservation.
There is history in a 1909 United States Coinage as well. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
1909 United States Cent inscriptions & design
Obverse
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1909
Liberty head, Indian headdress
Reverse
ONE CENT
wreath, shield
Measured 1909 United States Cent specimens
5 physically measured 1909 United States Cent examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 3.464 g, 19 mm minting standard.
| Specimen | Weight | Diameter | Die axis | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 United States Cent #1 | 3.038 g | 19 mm | 6 h | KM. US. 1909 |
| 1909 United States Cent #2 | 3.464 g | 19 mm | 6 h | - |
| 1909 United States Cent #3 | 3.494 g | 19 mm | 6 h | - |
| 1909 United States Cent #4 | - | - | - | Breen.2051 |
| 1909 United States Cent #5 | - | - | - | Breen.2051 |
Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.
Summary: the 1909 United States Cent is valued between $0.03 and $0.36 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.