The 1909-S Indian Head Cent (Buy on eBay) carries the lowest reported mintage of the series at 309,000 pieces. This coin represents one of only two years that Indian Head Cents were struck at the San Francisco Mint. The coin also marked the final year of the series, with the production of the new Lincoln Cents beginning in the same year, marked by the famous 1909-S VDB.
Most of the scant mintage of the 1909-S Indian Head Cent was soon retracted from circulation and hoarded by the public. Because of the large number of coins saved, the issue is not as scarce as the low mintage would suggest. Nonetheless, examples are always in demand and pieces with good eye-appeal can be hard to find.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: James B. Longacre
- Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Diameter: 19 mm
- Edge: Plain
