The Untold Secrets of the 1909-S Lincoln Cent Dies: Insider Tips for Serious Collectors
November 7, 20257 Deadly Mistakes Every Collector Makes With 1909-S Lincoln Cent Dies (And How to Avoid Them)
November 7, 2025
Stuck on a 1909-S Lincoln Cent? Let’s Crack It in 5 Minutes
Identifying all six obverse dies doesn’t require a PhD in numismatics. After years of squinting at mintmarks myself, I’ve packed everything into a 5-minute visual guide that actually works. We’re cutting straight to the chase – no theory, just how to spot each die through its mintmark placement.
Your Visual Cheat Sheet to All 6 Dies
Bookmark this section – it’s the only reference you’ll need:
Die 1: The Leaning Tower
Spot it by: Mintmark riding high and left of the date, leaning right like the Tower of Pisa.
Die 2: The Textbook Standard
Mintmark sits high and right – straight as a ruler. Look for this on both VDB and non-VDB cents.
Die 3: The Wallflower
Way out right compared to others. Only appears on non-VDB coins.
Die 4: The Subtle Slanter
Medium-high right position with just a whisper of rightward tilt.
Die 5: The Basement Dweller
Low and far right – so extreme it makes beginners question authenticity.
Die 6: The Far Reacher
Farthest low-right position of the bunch. Rarely seen on VDB versions.
Pro Tip: RPM Shortcuts
When checking repunched mintmarks on non-VDB cents:
- RPM#1: S punched over another S slightly northeast (like a compass needle)
- RPM#2: Clear S-over-horizontal-S stacking (see exactly what I mean here)
Speed Run Your Identification
Answer these four questions in order:
- How high or low is the S compared to the date?
- Is it left, center, or right aligned?
- Any visible tilt or slant?
- Spot any doubling? (Non-VDB coins only)
Why This Method Never Fails
I still use Bert Harsche’s 1973 framework daily – it focuses on permanent physical features that can’t be faked. Modern RPM discoveries just add detail to this rock-solid foundation.
Quick Tip Bullets
- VDB Cents: Only Dies 1, 2, 4, 5 apply
- Non-VDB: All six dies in play
- RPM Alert: Only appears on Dies 3 & 6 (non-VDB)
Go Be the Die Detective
You’ve now got field-tested cheat codes that work while other collectors are still polishing their loupes. Keep this guide open next time you’re hunting – suddenly those tricky 1909-S Lincoln Cents become open books. Now go find that treasure!
Related Resources
You might also find these related articles helpful:
- The Untold Secrets of the 1909-S Lincoln Cent Dies: Insider Tips for Serious Collectors – Most collectors overlook these details – here’s what I wish I knew earlier If you’ve spent time in coi…
- 1909-S Lincoln Cent Die Analysis: I Tested All Six Obverse Dies to Uncover What Collectors Need to Know – I Tested Every 1909-S Lincoln Cent Die – My Hands-On Findings Three months. 200+ coins. Countless hours squinting …
- 1909-S Lincoln Cent Dies Decoded: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Identifying All Six Varieties – If You’re Just Starting Out With Coins, This Simple Guide Will Show You Exactly What Matters About the 1909-S Linc…
