1909 VDB Penny Value (Errors List, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

In August 1909, eager crowds lined up at banks across America to get their hands on the new Lincoln penny—the first U.S. coin to feature an actual person’s portrait. Just four days later, production screeched to a halt.

The culprit? Three tiny letters: VDB.

Designer Victor David Brenner’s prominent initials on the coin’s reverse sparked nationwide outrage, with newspapers calling it “illegal advertising” and Treasury officials scrambling to remove them. This controversy transformed what should have been a simple centennial tribute to Lincoln into one of numismatics’ most coveted treasures.

Today, a regular 1909 VDB penny in good condition starts at just $2.44, but rare varieties like the 1909-S VDB command thousands, with mint state examples reaching $5,863 or more according to current market values.

1909 VDB Penny Value By Variety

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1909 VDB Penny Worth Money

When auction hammers fall on the finest 1909 VDB pennies, the results can be jaw-dropping.

The most expensive example on record—a 1909 VDB proof graded PR RB 67—commanded an astounding $258,500, transforming a one-cent coin into a quarter-million-dollar treasure. Even regular Philadelphia mint examples reach impressive heights, with an MS68 red specimen fetching $56,400 at auction.

These astronomical prices reflect the perfect storm that created the 1909 VDB phenomenon: a brief three-day production run, nationwide controversy, and immediate collector hoarding. From proof strikes worth six figures to error coins commanding premiums, these top 10 examples represent the absolute pinnacle of Lincoln cent collecting.

Also Read: Lincoln Wheat Penny Value (1909-1958)

 

History of 1909 VDB Penny

Abraham Lincoln was the 16^th president of the United States of America. His Emancipation of Proclamation, which he issued on January 1, 1863, marked the beginning of the end of slavery. This momentous accomplishment makes him one of our nation’s most popular historical figures.

Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, into a low-income family. He rose to the ranks and was elected president in March 1861. However, Lincoln’s second presidential term was abruptly cut short on April 14, 1865, when he was assassinated.

The U.S. Mint produced the 1909 Lincoln Cent to commemorate the late president’s 100^th birthday anniversary. The coin’s designer was Victor D. Brenner, a Lithuanian immigrant with impeccable sculpting skills.

When designing the coin, Victor included his initials, VDB, at the bottom of the reverse. These initials were rather large, and much of the public felt it took away from the coin’s historical and esthetic value.

The public outrage was so widespread that the United States Mint removed the VDB initials from the pennies. Before the Mint made this decision, close to 28 million pennies with the initials VDB had already been struck.

For the rest of 1909 to 1917, the Mint struck Lincoln circulation coins without the VDB initials. The initials were reintroduced in 1918, but this time they were smaller and placed on the obverse.

Due to the controversy, collectors hoarded millions of Lincoln pennies with VDB initials. At the time, speculation was rife that these coins would be worth a fortune.

As we’ll discover,1909 VDB pennies are an excellent addition to any decent coin collection.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Pennies Worth Money (1787 – Present)

 

Is Your 1909 VDB Penny Rare?

Use our CoinValueChecker App to instantly verify the rarity rating and current market value of your 1909 VDB pennies.

 

Features of 1909 VDB Penny

Now let’s look at the unique features of the 1909 Lincoln VDB penny.

The obverse of the 1909 VDB Penny

The obverse features a right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The coin’s designer, Victor Brenner, used an image of Lincoln he had previously used to design a desk plaque for a private client.

The country’s motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, appears around the top rim. To the left of Lincoln’s portrait is the word LIBERTY while the release date of 1909 appears to the right of the portrait.

Where applicable, you will notice the mint mark just below the date.

The Reverse of the 1909 VDB Penny

On the reverse side, two wheat leaves flank the right and left sides of the coin.

The words ONE CENT, which describe the coin’s denomination, appear in the middle between the two wheat ears. Underneath, you will find the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The motto EPLURIBUS UNUM appears at the top around the coin’s rim.

Importantly, you will notice the initials VDB around the lower rim. As mentioned, the initials stand for Victor D. Brenner, the coin’s designer.

The first 28 million Lincoln pennies minted in 1909 have the initials VDB, and these coins have gained considerable interest over the years among collectors.

Other Features of the 1909 VDB Penny

The 1909 Lincoln penny comprises 95% Copper and a 5% Zinc and Tin alloy.

It weighs 3.11 grams, measures 19.00 millimetres in diameter and is 1.4 millimeters thick. The penny has a smooth edge.

VDB pennies can be red, brown or red-brown. Coins in mint condition are likelier to retain their brilliant red copper tint. But circulated coins and those exposed to the elements are usually brown or brown-red.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Money (1909 to 1958)

 

1909 VDB Penny Mintage & Survival Data

While Philadelphia (no mint mark) struck nearly 28 million VDB pennies, only 40,000 examples survive today—a mere 0.14% survival rate. Paradoxically, the ultra-rare 1909-S VDB shows a dramatically higher 1.03% survival rate despite its tiny 484,000 mintage, thanks to immediate collector hoarding when controversy erupted.

Most remarkable are the proof strikes: just 1,194 were minted, yet 65 examples survive—an impressive 5.44% survival rate. These were struck specifically for collectors, explaining their superior preservation. This data reveals why the 1909-S VDB commands such premiums: it’s not just rare by mintage, but genuinely scarce in the marketplace with only an estimated 5,000 examples remaining across all grades.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Coins Worth Money (1859 – 1909)

 

1909 VDB Penny Grading

When grading the 1909 VDB penny, there are two factors to consider. One is the coin’s condition.

Worn, circulated coins with visible dents and marks are graded lower and will fetch less than uncirculated coins with a shiny luster and appealing appearance.

The second factor to consider is the coin’s color. Red pennies tend to be graded higher than red-brown and brown ones, therefore, worth more.

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

Check out now: How to Grade Lincoln Wheat Penny?

 

1909 VDB Penny Value Guides

In this section, we’ll answer the question: How much is a 1909 VDB penny worth?

The 1909 VDB draws a lot of attention among collectors. After all, this coin was shrouded in considerable controversy and was kind of a limited edition, given that only a few were produced before being pulled out of circulation.

Only the Philadelphia and San Francisco minting facilities produced the VDB penny in 1909.

There are two main varieties of this coin and a proof. They are:

• 1909 No Mint Mark VDB Penny
• 1909 S VDB Penny
• 1909 No Mint Mark Proof VDB Penny

It is also worth noting that pennies can be red, brown or brown-red, a quality that can affect the coin’s value. As a general rule, red pennies are more valuable than brown and red-brown coins, with red-brown varieties being the least valuable.

Let’s look at the value of each variety of the 1909 VDB Lincoln penny.

Also Read: Lincoln Wheat Penny Value (1909-1958)

 

1909 P VDB Penny Value

The U.S. Mint struck approximately 27,995,000 Lincoln pennies with the VDB initials on the reverse in 1909 to commemorate the president’s 100^th anniversary.

The majority of these coins were released into circulation. But instead of being used in day-to-day transactions, people hoarded millions of these coins at the height of the VDB controversy believing the coin would be worth a fortune one day.

Today, the 1909 VDB penny is among the few coins you can easily find in mint, uncirculated condition despite being a general circulation currency.

Red pennies are not just appealing to the eye but are worth much more than face value, even in lower grades. For example, a red 1909 P VDB penny graded 60 is worth about $35, while one graded MS65 can fetch as much as $225.

One brown 1909 P VDB penny graded MS62 was sold in 2002 for $4830. A Red Brown penny graded MS68, at the highest end of the coin grading scale, sold for $22,800, while a Red penny graded MS68 fetched a whopping $6,0000.

1909 No Mint Mark VDB Penny (RD) auction history

 

1909 No Mint Mark VDB Penny (RB) auction history

 

1909 No Mint Mark VDB Penny (BN) auction history

 

1909 S VDB Penny Value

The 1909 S VDB penny is among the 100 greatest U.S. coins. It is among the most favourite in the Lincoln penny series and American coins generally and is highly sought after among collectors.

When the U.S. Mint decided to remove the VDB initials from the penny, the San Francisco Mint had already struck 484,000 of these coins. As you might have guessed, this is an extremely low mintage, which makes the 1909 S VDB penny scarce and, therefore, quite valuable.

On the lower end of the grading scale, a coin graded Very Fine (VF) 30 is worth $1,350, while one graded About Uncirculated (AU) 50 is worth about $1,650.

In mint state, a brown 1909 S VDB penny can bring in as much as $25,000 for a coin-graded MS67, while a red-brown can fetch an impressive $50,000. A red penny-graded MS67 is worth about $165,000.

1909-S VDB Penny (RD) auction history

 

1909-S VDB Penny (RB) auction history

 

1909-S VDB Penny (BN) auction history

 

1909 VDB Proof Penny Value

In addition to regular strike coins, the Philadelphia minting facility struck proof coins for the 1909 VDB penny.

The mint uses special dies to strike proofs, resulting in coins with extra-shiny surfaces and pronounced designs compared to regular strike coins.

That year, the mint struck only 1,194 Matte Proof Lincoln pennies which became the scarcest Lincoln matte-proof coins between 1909 and 1916.

There are several things to look out for to identify a genuine VDB Lincoln Matte Proof penny. You should look for coins with square edges and sharp rims.

You should also check for a die marker under the R and T of the word LIBERTY and at the back of Lincoln’s coat. You will also notice some die scratches under the president’s nose.

A 1909 VDB Matte Proof graded PF62 can fetch up to $10,500, while one graded PF66 is worth about $45,000.

1909 VDB Penny (Proof RD) auction history

 

1909 VDB Penny (Proof RB) auction history

 

1909 VDB Penny (Proof BN) auction history

 

Rare 1909 VDB Penny Error List

There are several minting errors in the 1909 VDB Lincoln penny series. Errors can be worth a lot, but not all are valuable; it helps to know what to look for to identify a high-value coin error.

Here are common 1909 VDB penny errors worth good money:

Also Read: 42 Rare Penny Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

1909 VDB Double-Die Obverse Penny Error

Double-die errors are very common. This error happens when the die used to strike the coin or blank planchet shifts a bit during the striking processes, creating a double effect on the design, figures or letters on the coin.

In the case of the 1909 VDB penny, the double-die error is most visible on the word LIBERTY and the date of issue, 1909.

A specimen with a double-died obverse error was auctioned for $70. A Lincoln VDB error can fetch as much as $1,500 in mint state.

1909 VDB Penny DDO Error (RD) auction history

 

1909 VDB Penny DDO Error (RB) auction history

 

1909 VDB Penny DDO Error (BN) auction history

 

1909 VDB Offset Penny Error

An offset error occurs when the die used for striking coins is not centered squarely over the receiving anvil die. This results in an off-centred image on the obverse and a centered reverse.

In 1909, the offset appeared on the coin’s uppermost rim. The error also cuts off the L and I in LIBERTY, making this an eye-catching error coin.

A specimen sold in 2018 and graded MS67 fetched $15,000.

Also read: 11 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors

 

Where to Sell Your VDB 1909 Penny?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons. 

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

FAQ

How much is a VDB 1909 penny worth?

The value will largely depend on the coin’s condition. In circulated condition, a 1909 VDB penny is worth about $12, but this can increase to $375 or more for coins in mint state.

How do you identify a 1909 VDB penny?

The most immediate way to identify a VDB penny from 1909 is to check for the VDB initials on the coin’s reverse. Compared to the pennies struck starting in 1918, the VDB initials on the original 1909 pennies are significantly larger.

What is the most expensive VDB penny?

The 1909 P VDB Proof penny is the most popular and the rarest in the Lincoln penny series. Only a few of these coins can be accounted for today, making them extremely hard to find. Expect at least $150,000 for this proof penny.