How I Mastered Identifying 1909-S Lincoln Cent Dies: A Collector’s Step-by-Step Authentication Guide

The 1909-S Lincoln Cent Mystery That Almost Broke Me

I’ll never forget the day I found my first 1909-S Lincoln cent. What should’ve been thrilling turned into months of frustration trying to authenticate it. After nearly giving up and wasting over 200 hours, I discovered the secret: mastering the six obverse dies. Let me spare you the costly mistakes I made.

Why Die Identification Can Make or Break Your Collection

When I learned about the six distinct dies used for 1909-S cents, everything changed. This wasn’t just coin nerd stuff – it became my authentication lifeline for:

• Spotting fakes (like that PCGS-certified counterfeit I almost kept)
• Understanding the VDB vs. plain back drama
• Identifying rare RPM varieties
• Building a collection that actually means something

The Mintmark Clues That Changed My Game

Through expensive trial and error (you’re welcome!), I refined Bert Harsche’s system into this practical guide:

Die 1: The Slanted ‘S’

Where to look: High left
Telltale sign: Leans right like it’s trying to escape the date

Die 2: The Trouble Maker

Where to look: High right
Watch for: Later developed RPM varieties

Die 3: The Far Right Player

Where to look: Farthest right position
Key fact: Never paired with VDB reverses

Die 4: The Middle Child

Where to look: Medium high right
Distinctive feature: Perfectly balanced between date and rim

Die 5: The Low Profile

Where to look: Low, far right
Special trait: Used for both VDB and non-VDB cents

Die 6: The Loner

Where to look: Far low right
Can’t miss: Looks completely detached from the date

The VDB Revelation That Saved My Collection

I had my biggest aha moment when I connected the dies to VDB variations:

VDB-Compatible Dies

• Die 1: Slanted high left S
• Die 2: High right troublemaker
• Die 4: Balanced middle position
• Die 5: Versatile low rider

Non-VDB Only Dies

• Die 3: Far right specialist
• Die 6: Detached outlier

Beware: If a seller shows you a VDB cent with Die 3 or 6 traits, walk away. I learned this the hard way with a $2,500 fake.

My RPM Spotting Method That Actually Works

Here’s the exact system I use at coin shows (grab your loupe):

1. Pinpoint the Base Die

Use my die position guide above. Remember – RPMs only show up on Dies 2 and 3.

2. Hunt Double Impressions

For RPM#1 (S/S Northeast):

• Check for ghost S northeast of main mintmark
• Common on those tricky Die 2 coins

3. Spot Horizontal Shadows

For RPM#2 (S Over Horizontal S):

• Look for flat S hiding under the main mintmark
• Only appears on Die 3 specimens

4. Verify With Trusted Sources

Cross-check with these references:

• RPM#1: coppercoins.com/lincoln/diestate.php?date=1909&¨_id=1909s1mm001&¨_state=mds
• RPM#2: coppercoins.com/lincoln/diestate.php?date=1909&¨_id=1909s1mm002&¨_state=mds

3 Counterfeit Signs That Saved Me Thousands

After examining my fake PCGS-certified coin, I documented these red flags:

1. Mismatched Die Traits

VDB cents with Die 3 or 6 characteristics are guaranteed fakes. The mint never made these combinations.

2. Suspicious Tooling Marks

Watch for:

• S serifs that don’t match
• Tiny scratches around the mintmark
• Metal that looks “worked”

3. Wrong Patina Patterns

Real 1909-S cents have:

• Smooth, natural toning following the coin’s lines
• No sudden color shifts near the S
• Even wear that makes sense

My Go-To 1909-S Authentication Checklist

Here’s my battle-tested verification process:

• Check: S position relative to date
• Note: Tilt direction and angle
• Confirm: VDB compatibility
• Inspect: For RPM traits if non-VDB
• Scan: For counterfeit markers

What My 1909-S Journey Taught Me

After authenticating hundreds of these cents, I discovered:

• Knowing your dies isn’t just for experts – it’s your first line of defense
• The four VDB dies follow strict positioning rules
• RPM varieties only appear on specific non-VDB dies
• Spotting fakes requires understanding how minting really worked

This system turned me from confused collector to confident authenticator. While the 1909-S Lincoln cent will always challenge us, these die identification techniques create a foundation I wish I’d had years ago. Whether you’re holding your first wheat penny or building a top-tier collection, this knowledge could save you both money and heartache.

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