Decoding the 1909-S Lincoln Cent: How Six Obverse Dies Reveal Hidden Mint Secrets
November 7, 20251909-S Lincoln Cent Die Analysis: I Tested All Six Obverse Dies to Uncover What Collectors Need to Know
November 7, 2025
If You’re Just Starting Out With Coins, This Simple Guide Will Show You Exactly What Matters About the 1909-S Lincoln Cent
I’ll never forget my first 1909-S Lincoln Cent. It looked like any old penny to me then – little did I know I was holding six different coins in one! That tiny “S” mintmark below the date holds secrets most beginners miss. Let me walk you through what makes these coins special without any confusing jargon.
Why Tiny Differences Change Everything
When I started collecting, I thought mintmarks just showed where a coin was made. But with 1909-S pennies, that little “S” acts like a fingerprint. The San Francisco Mint used six different stamps that year, each putting the mintmark in a slightly different spot. Learning to spot these differences turns coin hunting into a treasure hunt!
Why This Penny Started a Revolution
Your 1909-S could be special because:
- It’s the VERY first Lincoln design ever made
- Some have the designer’s initials (V.D.B.) that caused a big fuss
- It replaced the Indian Head penny after 50 years
Simple Terms Every New Collector Needs
- Obverse Die: The front metal stamp
- Mintmark: Tiny “S” showing San Francisco made it
- RPM: When they stamped the mintmark twice by accident
- VDB: The designer’s hidden initials on some coins
Meet the Six Personalities of Your 1909-S Penny
After checking hundreds of these coins, I’ve made a simple spotter’s guide. The key? That little “S” is never in exactly the same place twice!
Die 1: The High and Mighty
- Spot it by: “S” floating high and left
- Special trick: Often tilts to the right
- Works with: Both VDB and regular versions
Die 2: The “Boring” One (That’s Still Cool!)
- Find it by: “S” sitting high right
- Fun fact: Collectors call this the “lamest” looking
- Watch for: Possible double-stamped mintmark
Die 3: The Right-Hand Rebel
- Look for: “S” way up in the corner
- Exclusive to: Pennies without VDB initials
- Bonus find: Some have mintmark stamped twice
Die 4: The Middle Child
- Notice: “S” at medium height, tilted right
- Found in: Both VDB and regular pennies
Die 5: The Low Rider
- Catch it by: “S” sitting low near the date
- Good news: More common than others
- Works with: Both coin versions
Die 6: The Superstar
- Rarest spot: “S” way low and far right
- Only on: Pennies without VDB initials
- Special trait: Often has double-stamped mark
What Most Beginners Get Wrong (I Did Too!)
Don’t feel bad if you believed these – I believed the first one until I held my fifth 1909-S!
Myth: San Francisco Changed the Dies
Truth: Philadelphia made ALL dies before shipping them west. Any double stamps happened there first.
Myth: All Dies Made VDB Coins
Actually: Only Dies 1,2,4,5 made VDB pennies. Dies 3 and 6 are VDB-free only.
Myth: “Lame” Dies Mean Fake Coins
Reality: Die 2 looks less polished, but that’s normal. Mint workers weren’t aiming for perfection back then!
How to Start Spotting Dies Today
You don’t need fancy gear to begin. Here’s what works for me:
Your Starter Toolkit
- A $10 magnifying glass (10x works great)
- Ruler showing millimeters
- Printouts from coppercoins.com
- A bright desk lamp
4 Easy Checks Any Beginner Can Do
- Height Test: How far is the “S” from the date?
- Side Check: How close is it to the last number?
- Tilt Game: Does the “S” lean like the Tower of Pisa?
- Edge Watch: Where does it sit compared to the rim?
The Man Who Started It All: Bert Harsche’s Big Discovery
Back in 1973, Bert Harsche noticed what everyone else missed – these small differences actually mattered! His work helps us today because:
- He created the first simple ID system
- Showed how to spot fake coins
- Tracked how dies wore down over time
How We’ve Improved His Work
Today’s collectors benefit from:
- Finding that fourth VDB die he missed
- Better photos of double-stamped mintmarks
- Free online guides showing every detail
Smart Starts for New Collectors
When I began, I wasted money on mistakes you can avoid:
Building Your First Set
- Start with Dies 2 & 5 – they’re easier to find
- Bookmark coppercoins.com on your phone
- Visit local coin shops before big shows
Don’t Get Fooled Like I Did
That “perfect” 1909-S VDB I bought? Turned out fake. Now I:
- Always compare to reference photos
- Check for scratch marks near the “S”
- Remember most real coins show some wear
Ready for More? The RPM Rabbit Hole
If you enjoy puzzles, these double-stamped mintmarks are for you:
RPM#1 (Die 3): The Ghost “S”
- Look for: Faint second “S” above and right
- Best seen: Angled light makes it pop
- See it here: [shortened coppercoins link]
RPM#2 (Die 6): The Floating Mintmark
- Spot it by: “S” that seems to hover
- Pro tip: Strong light from the side helps
- Example: [shortened coppercoins link]
Your Adventure Begins Now
Here’s what to remember as you start:
- The “S” position tells you everything
- VDB only appears on four dies
- Double stamps only on Dies 3 & 6
- Harsche’s guide still works today
Next time you see a 1909-S penny, grab your magnifier! That “ordinary” coin might be a rare Die 6 worth hundreds. I still check every one I find – just last month I discovered a Die 3 in my grocery change. Happy hunting!
Related Resources
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