Most 2009 Lincoln pennies are only worth their face value of $0.01. However, a zinc Lincoln cent in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade is worth about $0.50. Copper Lincoln bicentennial cents with the satin finish are each worth around $10 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. The 2009 proof Lincoln penny is worth around $4 in PR 65 condition. So, if you have a 2009 penny, be sure to check for these varieties before you assume it is only worth $0.01.
2009 was a year of celebrations commemorating the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. America’s 16th president was born on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky. Throughout 2009, there were numerous events held across the country to honor Lincoln and his legacy and the United States Mint issued a special coin.
The 2009 penny is one of the most interesting coins in circulation today. While it may not be the oldest, it is still a part of American history. In this blog post, we will discuss the history and value of the 2009 penny. Stay tuned to learn more!
Are 2009 Pennies Special?
Yes, 2009 pennies are special! They were made to celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. There were four different designs made, each representing a different stage of his life. The designs are: his birth and early childhood in Kentucky, his years as a young man in Indiana, his professional life in Illinois, and his presidency in Washington, D.C.
Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in Kentucky, and he rose from humble beginnings to become the 16th president of the United States. Lincoln was a gifted speaker and a masterful politician, and he is best known for his leadership during the Civil War. Under his guidance, the Union army emerged victorious, and slavery was abolished. After the war, Lincoln helped to heal the nation’s wounds by promoting reconciliation between the North and the South. He was tragically assassinated in 1865, but his legacy lives on.
The Lincoln penny is perhaps the most well-known and recognizable coin in circulation today. Designed by Victor D. Brenner, the obverse of the coin features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, while the reverse bears the image of the Lincoln Memorial. First minted in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, the Lincoln penny has been in continuous production ever since. With over half a billion produced each year, it is also one of the most widely circulated coins in the world.
Different 2009 Penny Designs
There are four different designs of 2009 Lincoln bicentennial pennies, but all of them have some similarities. All four coins are made from 95% copper and 5% zinc weighing 3.11 grams, except for a limited number of special-edition pennies with a satin finish that were produced at the San Francisco Mint.
The obverse of all Lincoln pennies features a classic portrait of Lincoln, with the words “IN GOD WE TRUST”, “LIBERTY”, and the date (in this case 2009). The reverse of the coin features the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, and “ONE CENT”. The mint mark can be found under the date. 2009 pennies were minted in San Francisco (S), Denver (D), and Philadelphia (no mint mark).
Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky
The birth and early childhood of Abraham Lincoln took place in Kentucky. As a young boy, Lincoln lived in a one-room log cabin with his family. Despite their humble circumstances, Lincoln’s parents instilled in him a love of learning. Lincoln himself later recalled that his earliest memories were of sitting on his father’s knee by the fire, listening to stories and legends.
The 2009 penny log cabin design is a beautiful tribute to Lincoln’s humble beginnings and early childhood. The reverse of the coin features a log cabin, which is where he was born in Kentucky. The cabin looks very realistic, with the logs neatly stacked and the door slightly ajar. The obverse of the coin features a classic portrait of Lincoln, looking stern and dignified.
In addition, some die varieties of this coin feature doubling on the ends of the logs on the corner of the cabin. These coins are highly sought-after by collectors and can command a premium price.
Formative Years in Indiana
Abraham Lincoln spent a formative period of his life in Indiana from 1816 to 1830. It was during these years that Lincoln developed many of the values and beliefs that would later shape his Presidency. One key influence was the frontier setting of Indiana, which instilled in Lincoln a love of nature and a sense of self-reliance. He also gained an appreciation for hard work from his father, who was a pioneer farmer in Indiana.
One of the designs pays tribute to Lincoln’s formative years in Indiana. The design features a young Lincoln reading during a break from his work as a rail-splitter for the railroad on the reverse.
One of the most interesting things about coins is the variety of designs that can be found on them. For example, the 2009 penny design features Lincoln’s Formative Years in Indiana and has more die varieties than any other penny. Some of the more minor varieties make it look like there is a shadow by Lincoln’s fingers. Other more dramatic varieties seem like there are other fingers on Lincoln’s hands. These coins are definitely worth a premium!
Professional Life in Illinois
Prior to his election as the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln had a long and varied career as an attorney in Illinois. It was during this time that he first gained notoriety as an effective public speaker and skilled debater. Lincoln quickly established himself as a leading figure in the Illinois bar, winning case after case for his clients. His successful law practice allowed him to amass a considerable fortune, which he used to finance his foray into politics.
One of the designs paid tribute to Lincoln’s professional life in Illinois. The coin depicts Lincoln standing in front of the Illinois state capitol in Springfield, where he gave a small speech in 1858. This speech, known as the “House Divided” speech, played a significant role in Lincoln’s election to the presidency two years later.
Lincoln’s Presidency in Washington
Washington, D.C. was a very different place during Lincoln’s Presidency than it is today. For one thing, the city was much smaller, with a population of only about 60,000. The White House was also much smaller, with only about 50 rooms. And the city itself was quite muddy, due to the many unpaved streets. Despite all of these differences, Lincoln made the White House into a home for his family and a place for entertaining guests.
One 2009 Lincoln penny design on the reverse depicts the U.S. Capitol dome under construction, paying tribute to Lincoln’s Presidency in Washington. The construction of the United States Capitol dome is a symbol of American democracy. The dome was originally built between 1855 and 1866, at a time when the country was struggling to unite after a period of division and conflict. The dome represents the strength and resilience of the American people, who came together to build a new nation.
What is the 2009 Penny Value
The 2009 penny was minted in large numbers and is still heavily in circulation, so it’s not a rare coin. However, there are some varieties of the 2009 penny that are quite valuable. For example, satin finish pennies were only minted for a limited time, and as a result, they are much rarer than regular coins. If you have one of these pennies, it’s definitely worth hanging onto it! Who knows, it might be worth a lot of money one day.
| NO. | Series | Location | Quantity minted | Value uncirculated |
| 1 | 2009 Log cabin design | Philadelphia | 284,400,000 | 20+ cents |
| 2 | 2009 Log cabin design satin finish | Philadelphia | 784,614 | $8+ |
| 3 | 2009 D Log cabin design | Denver | 350,400,000 | 20+ cents |
| 4 | 2009 D Log cabin design satin finish | Denver | 784,614 | $8+ |
| 5 | 2009 S Log cabin design proof | San Francisco | 2,995,615 | $3,50+ |
| 6 | 2009 Formative years design | Philadelphia | 376,000,000 | 20+ cents |
| 7 | 2009 Formative years design satin finish | Philadelphia | 784,614 | $8+ |
| 8 | 2009 D Formative years design | Denver | 363,600,000 | 20+ cents |
| 9 | 2009 D Formative years design satin finish | Denver | 784,614 | $8+ |
| 10 | 2009 S Formative years design proof | San Francisco | 2,995,615 | $3,50+ |
| 11 | 2009 Professional life design | Philadelphia | 316,000,000 | 20+ cents |
| 12 | 2009 Professional life design satin finish | Philadelphia | 784,614 | $8+ |
| 13 | 2009 D Professional life design | Denver | 336,000,000 | 20+ cents |
| 14 | 2009 D Professional life design satin finish | Denver | 784,614 | $8+ |
| 15 | 2009 S Professional life design proof | San Francisco | 2,995,615 | $3,50+ |
| 16 | 2009 Presidency design | Philadelphia | 129,600,000 | 20+ cents |
| 17 | 2009 Presidency design satin finish | Philadelphia | 784,614 | $8+ |
| 18 | 2009 D Presidency design | Denver | 198,000,000 | 20+ cents |
| 19 | 2009 D Presidency design satin finish | Denver | 784,614 | $8+ |
| 20 | 2009 S Presidency design proof | San Francisco | 2,995,615 | $3,50+ |
The 2009 penny value usually doesn’t depend on its design, but rather on its condition and whether it is finished with zinc or satin. Most 2009 zinc Lincoln pennies in circulated condition are only worth their face value of $0.01. There are too many of them to be valuable in circulated condition. However, a zinc Lincoln cent in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade is worth about $0.50.
The 2009 copper Lincoln bicentennial cents with the satin finish are each worth around $10 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. They are rarer and more valuable than regular business strike coins.
Proof coins are specially minted coins that are intended for collectors. They are usually produced in limited quantities and have a higher level of detail than regular circulation coins. The 2009 proof Lincoln penny is worth around $4 in PR 65 condition. Proof pennies from 2009 are particularly valuable because they were produced at the San Francisco Mint. Collectors will often pay a premium for coins that were minted at this facility.
Factors Influencing the 2009 Penny Value
Contrary to popular belief, the 2009 penny design doesn’t affect its value. Main determining factors are condition, finish, and variety of the coin.
Condition
The value of a 2009 penny can vary depending on its condition. A circulated coin, for example, is one that has been used in everyday transactions and shows wear as a result. An uncirculated coin, on the other hand, is one that has never been used and remains in pristine condition. In general, circulated coins are worth less than uncirculated ones because they are more common and have less collector appeal.
The Sheldon scale is a 70-point system that is used to grade the condition of a coin, with “70” being equivalent to a perfect coin. Uncirculated coins that have never been handled or cleaned will usually receive the highest grades, while those that have been damaged will receive the lowest grades. Coins that fall in between these extremes will be graded according to the severity of their wear.
Type of the Lincoln Cent
One of the most important factors influencing the value of a penny is its type. Business strike coins are those that were produced for circulation, while proof strikes were specially made for collectors. Business strike pennies are typically worth less than their proof counterparts due to their lower quality and abundance.
The difference between the two types can be significant, as proof strikes are usually of much higher quality than business strikes. As a result, they tend to be more valuable.
There were another two types of Lincoln cents minted in 2009 – those with a zinc finish and those with a satin finish. The zinc-finished Lincoln cents are more common and, as a result, are not worth as much as the satin-finished pennies. The satin finish, on the other hand, is more rare and can be worth up to five times as much as a zinc penny. So, if you’re looking to cash in on your 2009 pennies, be sure to check for the satin finish before you spend them!
Finding the Value of Your Lincoln Cents
If you’re trying to determine the value of your own Lincoln cents, a good place to start is by comparing them to recently sold items. There are a number of online resources that can help you do this, including eBay and Heritage Auctions. By taking a look at what similar coins have sold for recently, you should be able to get a good idea of what your Lincoln cents are worth. For example:
- A set of 8 uncirculated Philadelphia and Denver 2009 Lincoln pennies sold for $3,25.
- A roll of 50 2009 D Lincoln pennies depicting the presidency sold for $7,95.
- Uncirculated 2009 penny with man on back depicting Lincoln’s formative years sold for $2,50.
- A proof 2009 S professional life value graded PR 69 sold for $6,50.
- A 2009 S early childhood design proof coin sold for around $30.
FAQ
How to tell the difference between satin finish and zinc finish?
Satin finish coins are produced by using a chemical etching process that leaves a soft, velvety texture on the surface of the coin. Zinc finish coins, on the other hand, are coated with a thin layer of zinc. This gives the coin a duller appearance and makes it more resistant to fingerprints and other smudges. While both finishes have their own unique appeal, satin finish coins are generally considered to be more valuable due to their rarity.
Why is it hard to find 2009 penny?
Although it is not hard to find a 2009 penny, it can be difficult to find one in pristine condition with a satin finish. This is because they are highly prized by collectors. 2009 pennies with a satin finish are particularly coveted because they were only produced for a short time, and they have a unique look that set them apart from other pennies minted that year. Because of their rarity and desirability, 2009 pennies with a satin finish can command high prices from collectors.
Why is the back of a 2009 penny different?
In 2009, the United States Mint released a series of special edition Lincoln pennies to commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The reverse (or tails) side of the coin featured four different designs, each representing a different stage in Abraham Lincoln’s life.
How many 2009 penny designs are there?
There are four different designs. The first design depicted Lincoln’s log cabin birthplace, the second showed him as a young boy reading on his work break, the third depicted him as a young man standing in front of the Illinois state capitol building, and the fourth and final design showed the Capitol dome under construction. While the front (or heads) side of the penny remained unchanged, the new designs on the back served as a reminder of Lincoln’s humble beginnings and his transformational journey from frontier lawyer to one of our nation’s most revered leaders.
Final Thoughts
So, how much is a 2009 Lincoln penny worth? It depends on the condition of the coin and whether it’s made of zinc or copper. Circulated Lincoln pennies from 2009 are only worth their face value of $0.01. However, if you have a zinc Lincoln cent in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade, it could be worth around $0.50. And if you’re lucky enough to have a copper Lincoln bicentennial cent with the satin finish, it’s each worth around $10 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade.
Finally, if you have a 2009 proof Lincoln penny, it’s worth around $4 in PR 65 condition. So, while a 2009 penny may not be worth very much in circulated condition, some specimens can be quite valuable. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, it’s always exciting to find a rare coin like this one!
