Rare Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $100K Could Still Be in Your Pocket – Here’s What to Look For

Published On: July 19, 2025

The 1909 Lincoln penny wasn’t just another copper coin—it marked a major milestone in U.S. history. It was the first American coin to feature a real person, none other than President Abraham Lincoln, in honor of his 100th birthday.

But what really excites collectors is one specific version of that coin: the elusive 1909-S VDB penny. With only a limited number ever minted, this tiny piece of metal can now be worth thousands of dollars. Let’s break down why it’s so valuable and how to identify one.

Table of Contents

1 Rarity
2 Design
3 Spotting
4 Value
5 Tips
6 FAQs

Rarity

The biggest reason for this coin’s high value? Its scarcity. Only 484,000 of these special coins were ever minted. To put that into perspective, most coins are minted in the millions. This rare penny came from the San Francisco Mint—the “S” mark below the date tells you that.

What makes it even more unique are the designer’s initials “V.D.B.” on the reverse. The initials stood for Victor David Brenner, who designed the coin.

There was a public outcry at the time over how prominently the initials were displayed. So the U.S. Mint quickly removed them. But not before a small batch of coins—with both the “S” mint mark and “V.D.B.” initials—were already released. That’s the birth of the legendary 1909-S VDB penny.

Coin Type	Mint Mark	V.D.B. Initials	Rarity	Value Estimate
1909 VDB	No	Yes	Common	$10–$100
1909-S	Yes	No	Uncommon	$150–$800
1909-S VDB	Yes	Yes	Very Rare	$1,000–$10,000+

Design

Victor David Brenner created the coin’s design, and originally, his initials were placed boldly on the bottom center of the reverse side, between the wheat stalks. This stirred controversy—some thought the initials were too attention-grabbing, almost like a signature.

Because of the backlash, the Mint removed the initials not long after release. But by then, a limited number of coins with both the “S” mint mark and “V.D.B.” initials were already in circulation. That small run turned into one of the most prized U.S. coins ever made.

Spotting

Think you might have one of these gems? Here’s what to look for:

Date: The coin must be from 1909.
Mint Mark: A clear “S” under the date, for San Francisco.
Initials: Flip the coin over and look between the wheat stalks at the bottom for “V.D.B.”
Color: Coin collectors classify pennies by color—Red (best), Red-Brown, and Brown (most circulated). Red coins in mint condition are the most valuable.

Important tip: Never clean the coin. Cleaning can lower its grade and significantly reduce its value. Leave it untouched and get it checked by a professional.

Value

The value of a 1909-S VDB penny depends entirely on its condition and color. Here’s a rough guide:

Brown (heavily circulated): $600–$2,000
Red-Brown (moderate condition): $2,500–$5,000
Red (uncirculated, top grade): $7,000–$10,000+

Some pristine specimens have even sold for over $50,000 at auctions. That’s not bad for a one-cent coin!

Tips

Don’t get fooled by lookalikes. Here’s how to tell them apart:

1909 VDB (no “S”): Very common. Worth less.
1909-S (no VDB): Still collectible, but not as valuable.
1909 (no VDB, no “S”): Extremely common and worth very little.

If you suspect you’ve found a 1909-S VDB, don’t rush. Have it authenticated by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC. They’ll confirm whether it’s real and give it an official grade, which will help you sell it at the right value.

The 1909-S VDB penny isn’t just a coin—it’s a piece of American numismatic history. With limited numbers still in existence and rising demand from collectors worldwide, owning one is like holding a slice of the past in your palm.

Whether you inherited a coin collection or found a penny in grandpa’s drawer, it’s worth taking a closer look. That little copper coin might be a hidden fortune.