What is 1909 US penny worth?

Answer 1

There are several major varieties of the US 1909 cent. First off is the Indian penny, which, as you might expect, has an Indian head on the front of it. If you have one of these pennies and on underneath the wreath on the reverse there is an "S" mintmark, the coin is worth over $200, however, such examples are rare and if you have no mintmark under the wreath you have a coin worth a few bucks depending on the grade. You may also have a 1909 Lincoln wheat penny, however, there are 4 major varieties of this coin. First, on the reverse of the coin under the wheat stalks there may or may not be the letters VDB, if there is the letters VDB you have what is known as a VDB cent, these are rarer than ones without the VDB designation. If you have a VDB cent with no mintmark under the date on the front of the coin, it is worth a few bucks in circulated condition. If you have a VDB cent with an "S" mintmark under the date, you have a very desirable coin worth several hundred dollars depending on condition. If you have no VDB and there is no mintmark on your coin, your coin is worth a few bucks. However, if you have no VDB and an "S" mintmark, your coin is worth anywhere from $20 to a few hundred dollars depending on condition.

Do not clean your coins. Cleaning coins will only decrease their value, especially if you have a rare coin like a 1909 S VDB.