Cent · 2009–2009

Lincoln Bicentennial Cent

The familiar Lincoln portrait facing right with IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date 2009. One of four designs telling Lincoln's life story: a log cabin (birthplace), young Lincoln reading on a log (formative years), Lincoln before the Illinois capitol (professional life), and the half-finished U.S. Capitol dome (presidency).

Designer

Victor D. Brenner (obverse); four reverse designs by U.S. Mint artists including Richard Masters, Charles Vickers, Joel Iskowitz, and Susan Gamble

Diameter

19.05 mm

Edge

Plain

Mint mark

Obverse (front), below the date

Composition

2009–2009: Circulation coins: 97.5% zinc with copper plating · 2.5 g

2009–2009: Collector-set coins only: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc — the original 1909 recipe · 3.11 g

Did you know? For Lincoln's 200th birthday the Mint issued four different penny backs in one year — and because of the recession, 2009 cents were struck in the lowest numbers since the 1950s, so people rarely saw them in change.

Beginner tip: Sort your 2009 cents by the four reverse designs first, then put a loupe on every 'Formative Years' log-reading design — that is the one with the valuable doubled-finger varieties.

Key dates to look for

2009 Bicentennial Cent

Face value worn; $1 – $10 for crisp uncirculated examples

All four designs had unusually low mintages for a modern cent — worth saving in high grade

2009-S Bicentennial Cent

$3 – $10 per coin

Proof-only issue found in 2009 proof sets, with mirror-like fields

Valuable varieties & errors

2009 Formative Years Doubled Die Reverse ('Extra Finger')

scarce

$15 – $100 depending on the die and condition

Dozens of doubled reverse dies are documented on the Philadelphia 'Formative Years' design showing young Lincoln reading on a log. The best-known versions appear to give Lincoln an extra finger or doubled thumb on his hand.

How to check: Use a loupe on the design of Lincoln sitting on a log with a book, and study his hands: on the doubled dies you can see what looks like an extra finger or a doubled thumb next to the normal ones. Some dies also double the book edges or his sleeve.

2009-D Formative Years Doubled Die Reverse

scarce

$15 – $100 depending on the die and condition

Denver produced its own batch of doubled reverse dies on the same log-reading design. They are generally a bit scarcer than the Philadelphia versions.

How to check: Confirm the D mint mark below the date, then examine Lincoln's hands and the book on the reverse with a loupe: doubled dies show extra finger-like ridges beside his fingers or a doubled book edge. Compare against a normal 2009-D to train your eye.

Error types found on this series

Doubled Die (Reverse)

Same as a doubled die obverse, but the doubling appears on the back of the coin.

Off-Center Strike

The blank wasn't centered when struck, so part of the design is missing and part of the coin is blank.

Grease-Filled Die (Struck Through Grease)

Grease and debris packed into the die's recesses blocked part of the design, leaving weak or missing details.

Machine Doubling

The die bounced or chattered at the moment of striking, smearing a flat shelf-like second edge onto the design.

Die Crack

A crack in the die fills with metal during the strike, leaving a thin raised line on the coin.

Real photos where available (credits); others are illustrations.

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