Lot 004Coin values

1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent

Q: How much is a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent worth?

Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $40–$145 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $2,450–$3,550 in MS-65. These are estimates, not an appraisal or market data. A coin in the grade you hold may sell for less at a dealer, who needs a margin.

SAN FRANCISCO (S) · 95% COPPER, 5% TIN AND ZINC · 1,825,000 STRUCK

The answer

Worth about $40⁠–⁠$145 circulated and $2,450⁠–⁠$3,550 in MS-65.

The 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is a semi-key date from the San Francisco Mint, with 1,825,000 pieces struck. In circulated grades (G-4 to EF-40) our estimate is $40⁠–⁠$145, and a well-preserved MS-65 example is estimated at $2,450⁠–⁠$3,550.

1909-SSan Francisco (S)

Catalogue medallion. We do not yet hold a licensed photograph of this exact date and mint, so none is shown rather than one with a different date.

Lincoln cent obverse: Abraham Lincoln facing right — Design reference 1909 Lincoln cent (wheat), National Numismatic Collection. The date on this photograph is not this issue's date. Public domain, credit US Mint (coin), National Numismatic Collection (photograph by Jaclyn Nash), via Wikimedia Commons.

Lincoln wheat cent reverse: ONE CENT between two wheat ears — Design reference 1909 Lincoln cent (wheat), National Numismatic Collection. The date on this photograph is not this issue's date. Public domain, credit US Mint (coin), National Numismatic Collection (photograph by Jaclyn Nash), via Wikimedia Commons.

Mint: San Francisco (S)
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Mintage: 1,825,000
Weight and size: 3.11 g · 19.05 mm
Designer: Victor David Brenner

RaritySemi-key

PlentifulRare

Scarcer than 98% of the 140 issues in the Lincoln Wheat series with a recorded mintage. 1,825,000 struck. Mintage is the number struck, not the number that survive.

Grade & value

Circulated$40–$145

Melt, live$0.04

Estimated value by grade for the 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent. Lustre editorial estimate, Oct 2026.
Grade	Estimate
G-4Good	$40–$50
VG-8Very Good	$50–$60
F-12Fine	$65–$75
VF-20Very Fine	$80–$100
EF-40Extremely Fine	$110–$145
AU-50About Uncirculated	$145–$195
AU-58Choice About Uncirculated	$200–$260
MS-60Mint State 60	$280–$380
MS-63Choice Mint State	$560–$740
MS-65Gem Mint State	$2,450–$3,550

Melt value (copper)$0.04

95% copper, 5% tin and zinc at spot prices. Reference prices, not live

Scan your coin

Estimates. Grade values are Lustre editorial estimate, Oct 2026, based on spot prices near $61 per ounce for silver. They are not market data, an appraisal or an offer. Rows marked at melt follow the metal price. Uncirculated figures (MS-60 to MS-65) assume red-brown (RB) color. Full red (RD) coins are worth more and brown (BN) coins less.

Value ladder

Varieties to look for

S over horizontal S

A variety with the S punched over a horizontal S is known.

Mint mark position

D and S sit below the date on the obverse. Compare against the date: forged mint marks are common on 1909-S V.D.B., 1914-D and 1931-S.

Color: brown, red-brown, red

Bronze cents tone over time. Uncirculated prices assume red-brown (RB) toning; full red (RD) coins are worth more, brown (BN) coins less.

Questions

About the 1909-S Lincoln Wheat

How much is a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent worth?

Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $40⁠–⁠$145 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $2,450⁠–⁠$3,550 in MS-65. These are estimates, not an appraisal or market data. A coin in the grade you hold may sell for less at a dealer, who needs a margin.

What is a 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent made of?

It is 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc and weighs 3.11 g. At today's metal prices the metal is worth a few cents, so any value comes from collector demand.