It was an odd year for coin collectors in 2009. The United States Mint commemorated the late president's 200th birthday by releasing the Lincoln Bicentennial penny, a commemorative coin with unique appeal for enthusiasts interested in the 2009 penny value.
The United States Mint created four distinct reverse designs depicting several eras of Abraham Lincoln's life, educating people about his early years, career, and years as president.
On the other hand, the 2009 Lincoln penny's obverse reproduces the picture of Victor D. Brenner's bust of President Lincoln from 1909. This historical significance plays an essential role in the 2009 penny value.
At the Philadelphia Mint, 129.6 million pennies featuring all of the designs were produced in 2009. Even though this is a small quantity, the coins that were sent into circulation have no rarity and are merely for their face value.
But 2009 Philadelphia-minted coins that haven't been in circulation can fetch a lot more money. Coins that are in perfect condition can fetch several hundred dollars, or even more.
MS63 coins often have a value of $7, whereas no-mint mark coins. The presidential design of 2009 Lincoln coins, rated MS67, is valued at around $165. When graded as MS67, 2009 pennies with the early childhood design can fetch about $300, professional life coins about $225, and formative years $325.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Lincoln Penny |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint Mark | None |
| Place of Minting | Philadelphia |
| Year of Minting | 2009 |
| Face Value | $0.01 |
| Price Range | $7 – $325 |
| Production | 129.6 million pennies |
| MS63 Value | $7 |
| MS67 Presidential Design Value | $165 |
| MS67 Early Childhood Design Value | $300 |
| MS67 Professional Life Design Value | $225 |
| MS67 Formative Years Design Value | $325 |
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Lincoln Penny |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint Mark | D |
| Place of Minting | Denver |
| Year of Minting | 2009 |
| Face Value | $0.01 |
| Price Range | $5 – $725 |
| Production | 198 million pennies |
| MS65 Value | $5 – $12 |
| MS67 Formative Years Design Value | $160 |
| MS67 Professional Life Design Value | $725 |
| MS68 Presidential Design Value | $6,000 |
| SP69 Satin Finish Value | Less than $300 |
In 2009, the Denver Mint produced 198 million Lincoln pennies with all four designs. 2009 D Lincoln pennies in mint state have values comparable to those of Philadelphia-minted coins with MS65 grades, which range in value from $5 to $12. For coins classed MS67 and above, however, values vary substantially.
A 2009 D penny with a reverse depicting the formative years is worth $160, but the same grade cent with a reverse depicting a professional life design is worth $725. The design from Lincoln's presidential years is shown on two known MS68-graded Lincoln pennies dated 2009. Each of these is estimated to be worth $6,000.
In 2009, Denver, like Philadelphia, also produced coins that had a satin surface. A 2009 D matte finish penny with the grade SP69 has a lower auction record than $300. This is a lot less than the highest 2009 penny value found on a satin-finished, 2009 cent with no mint mark.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Lincoln Penny |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint Mark | S |
| Place of Minting | San Francisco |
| Year of Minting | 2009 |
| Face Value | $0.01 |
| Price Range | $7 – $150 |
| Production | Proof coins only |
| PR70 Value | $130 – $150 |
All of the San Francisco-minted Lincoln pennies in 2009 were proof coins meant for collectors, not for general circulation. They are so typically in immaculate condition and are not regarded as unusual. Their value, which is often lower than coins with a high MS grading, reflects this. 2009 PR70 graded pennies range in value from $130 to $150.
Coins double as a result of doubled dice faults. They may occasionally be little and almost perceptible, and occasionally, they may be more prominent. Several design variations of the 2009 Lincoln penny include doubled die errors.
Some of the logs used for the log cabin have doubling on their circular ends in the early years of the design. The doubling cannot be seen with the unaided eye; a coin loupe or magnifying lens is required. In the log cabin's front corner, look for the logs. Each of these coins is valued at about $10.
Double die mistakes are also seen in the pennies with the image of Abraham Lincoln's early years. These appear on the San Francisco-minted proofs. Look for an extra thumb or index finger in Lincoln's book-holding hand. Should the coin be in nearly perfect condition, this 2009 penny value would be about $5. A coin with an MS64 grade is worth around $50.
The 2009 coins with the picture of Abraham Lincoln during his career years also show doubled die mistakes. The columns of the Illinois Capitol building exhibit the doubling on these coins. For coins having this issue, there is presently no information accessible on sales.
| Design | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Log Cabin | Doubling on circular ends of logs | ~$10 |
| Early Years (San Francisco) | Extra thumb or index finger in Lincoln's book-holding hand | ~$5 (MS64 $50) |
| Career Years | Career YearsDoubling on columns of the Illinois Capitol building | Not available |
A mistake known as horizontal misalignment can be seen on certain proof coins produced by the San Francisco mint. The ring surrounding the design on these coins is not uniform. At auction, a coin rated PR68 that had this mistake sold for $345. The coin's hue was taken into consideration when it was graded ultra cameo.
| Error Type | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal Misalignment | The ring surrounding the design is not uniform | $345 (PR68) |
The Sheldon scale, which values coins from 1 to 70 depending on their general condition and rarity, is used to grade Lincoln pennies. Lower-grade coins have no value beyond their face value, but rarer coins with better grades can fetch collectors hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Proof coins have the letters PR followed by a number, and special strike coins have the letters SP. For coins made for circulation, the letter combinations are as follows: P stands for poor, G for good, and MS for mint state. Mint state coins are typically defined as coins with a value greater than their face value.
| # | # Grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 | Very Fair |
| 4, 5, 6 | Good |
| 7, 8, 10 | Very Good |
| 12, 15 | Fine |
| 20, 30 | Very Fine |
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
| 60 | Mint State |
| 65 | Mint State |
| 70 | Mint State |
The 2009 penny holds a special place in the history of U.S. coinage due to its unique designs celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. While the most 2009 penny value in circulation is equal to their face value, error coins or those that are uncirculated might be priced a bit higher. Collectors seek out these pennies, especially those with high mint-state grades or notable errors, which can fetch anywhere from a few dollars to thousands.
If you have a 2009 penny, it’s worth checking its condition and any possible errors—who knows, you might just have a rare treasure in your hands!
Not always. The aforementioned elements may affect a 2009 penny value. However, because they were produced in smaller quantities, pennies with the "S" mint mark are usually worth more.
The 2009 penny is unique because the US Mint produced pennies with four distinct designs on the reverse to mark 200 years since President Lincoln's birth. The president's face remained on the obverse while changing designs on the reverse highlighted various eras of the president's life.
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