1909-S Indian Head Penny Value: What Is It Worth in 2026?
Getting this graded by PCGS or NGC before selling usually pays off. Authentication matters: the 1877, 1909-S, and 1864-L are among the most faked cents in the hobby.
Value by condition
| Good (G-4, heavily worn) | $376 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $407 |
| Fine (F-12) | $527 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $612 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $721 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $929 |
| Mint State (MS-63, uncirculated) | $1,599 |
The rarest regular-issue Indian Head cent: only 309,000 struck — the lowest mintage of the series after the 1877. The coin every Indian Head set needs. Watch for faked S mint marks added to a common 1909-P.
See the full page for this coin (mintage, how to identify it, where to sell)The series' rarest finale — only 309,000 made
1909 was the year everything changed for the American cent: the Lincoln design replaced the Indian Head mid-year, and San Francisco struck just 309,000 of the Indian version before switching. That makes the 1909-S the second-lowest mintage of the series after the 1877 — and the single most in-demand 'last year' coin in the Indian Head run.
The mint mark is on the reverse, under the wreath. Because a common 1909 Philadelphia cent is worth a few dollars and a 1909-S is worth hundreds, added-mint-mark fakes are everywhere. A genuine S has a specific shape and position consistent with known dies; a glued or engraved S usually sits slightly wrong or has a mushy outline. For any 1909-S you believe is real, professional authentication pays for itself many times over.
Note that 1909 also has a famous Lincoln counterpart — the 1909-S VDB wheat penny. If your 1909 has Lincoln's portrait instead of the Indian headdress, it belongs to the wheat penny pages, not this series.
How to confirm it's genuine
- The date is on the obverse below the portrait. Only 1908-S and 1909-S carry a mint mark (under the wreath on the reverse) — every other year is Philadelphia with no mark.
- 1909-S fakes usually have an S added to a common 1909 Philadelphia coin: the letter must sit in the correct position under the wreath and match the genuine punch shape.
- Never clean the coin: cleaning destroys the original surface and can cut the value in half.
- For any coin worth more than $200, PCGS/NGC grading fees (~$20–50) are money well spent.
Where to sell this coin
- eBay works best in the $1.00–$200 range. Take clear photos of both sides in natural light, and put the year, variety, and approximate grade in the title.
- A local coin dealer is the fastest way to cash out, but expect 60–70% of guide prices. Common-date Indian Head pennies sell well by the roll or in mixed lots.
- Graded high-value coins do best at auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack's Bowers, where realized prices are public.