There are 4 possibilities:
1. Your coin has no mint mark under the date, and no letters "V.D.B." on the back. It's worth a couple of dollars.
2. It does not have a mint mark, but DOES have the letters on the back. It's worth 6 or 7 dollars.
3. It has an 'S' mint mark, and no letters on the back. It's worth $60 to $100, depending on condition.
4. It has both an 'S' mint mark AND the letters on the back. It's worth $500 to $1000, depending on condition.
However, there are many counterfeits of the 'S' mint coins, so it's best to have it inspected by a certified dealer if you do have one.
I found a 1909 V.D.B. penny with the S on e-bay and it was selling for $2,500.
$60
about $1500
No a 1973 penny will not have VDB.
A very-well worn example will bring several hundred dollars. A very well-struck uncirculated coin that has retained its original red coloring could easily reach $10,000.
If it is just a 1909s, prices start at 75.00 in good up to over 1300.00 in mint state. Meaning if it looks brand new with no wear. If there are tiny letters VDB on the back at the 6:00 position, it's a much rarer coin with values ranging from $700 to over $2000
Assuming it has no mint mark under the date, retail is $8.00 to $16.00 depending on condition.
about $1500
One of the rarest Lincoln coins is a penny. 1909S VDB. S designates that the coin was minted in San Francisco, CA and VDB are the initials of the designer of the coin.
No a 1973 penny will not have VDB.
A very-well worn example will bring several hundred dollars. A very well-struck uncirculated coin that has retained its original red coloring could easily reach $10,000.
If it is just a 1909s, prices start at 75.00 in good up to over 1300.00 in mint state. Meaning if it looks brand new with no wear. If there are tiny letters VDB on the back at the 6:00 position, it's a much rarer coin with values ranging from $700 to over $2000
A 1909-S VDB penny!
The main difference between a 1909 VDB penny and a 1909 VDB S penny lies in the mint where they were produced. The 1909 VDB penny was minted at the Philadelphia Mint and bears the VDB initials on the reverse, while the 1909 VDB S penny was minted at the San Francisco Mint and also bears the VDB initials. The inclusion of the "S" mintmark on the 1909 VDB S penny indicates its San Francisco origin.
Assuming it has no mint mark under the date, retail is $8.00 to $16.00 depending on condition.
There is no such coin. The first Lincoln cents were struck in 1909. See the attached link for prices.
All error coins need to be seen for an accurate value. Take it to a local coin dealer for an assessment.
A penny that is 1909 VDB could get up to around $5. The reason is because a penny that is 1909 VDB has 28 million pennies minted.
From 1918 to date.