One of the most well-known and highly sought-after coins in the field of numismatics in the United States is the 1909-S VDB penny.
1909 S VDB Penny Value: Just How Rare And Just How Valuable?
It is well-known for being relatively difficult to locate and for having a fascinating history. I will elaborate on the reasons why it is so valuable and how rare it actually is by saying the following:
1. Background History
It is interesting to note that the penny from 1909 was the first U.S. coin to have “In God We Trust” printed on the back.
For the first time, the Lincoln cent was used instead of the long-running Indian Head cent. The VDB on the back of the coin stands for the creator, Victor David Brenner.
However, the “S” in “1909-S VDB” means that this coin was made in San Francisco, and the VDB initial caused some debate.
It used to be on the back of the coin, but people didn’t like having the designer’s letters on it, so they were taken off. The 1909-S VDB is now one of the few coins that still has this marking.
2. How rare
The main reason the 1909-S VDB is so rare is that only 484,000 of them were made. Compared to other pennies from the same time, this one has a pretty low mintage. This is especially true when you think about how many coins were made in the early 1900s.
Besides that, many of these coins got broken or burned down over time, leaving fewer in good shape. It is very rare because it was only made in small numbers and has been lost over time.
3. The state is important
How good or bad a 1909-S VDB penny is can have a big effect on its value. There is a scale that goes from Poor (P-1) to Mint State (MS-70). Coins with better grades are much harder to find and worth more.
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Low Grade (Good to Fine): The 1909-S VDB can sell for a lot of money even if it is in bad shape. It might be worth $700 to $1,200 if it’s in Good (G-4) or Fine (F-12) shape.
Prices can run from $2,500 to $5,000 for items that are Very Fine (VF-20) to Extremely Fine (EF-40). This is called “middle grade.”
Some coins, like those in MS-63 (mint state) form, can sell for $10,000 to $15,000 or more.
Outstanding Condition (MS-65 or higher): If the coin is in MS-65 or better (extremely well-preserved), it could be worth $100,000 or more, based on how much people want it.
4. Current Trends in the Market
Collectors will always want to buy the 1909-S VDB, but its worth can change depending on the market and how good it is. But most people see it as an investment for the long term, and its high value will likely stay that way, especially since fewer uncirculated copies are being found.
