As a long-time Lincoln cent collector and error coin enthusiast, I‘ve been fascinated by the 2009 pennies since their release over a decade ago. These special Bicentennial commemoratives not only honor Honest Abe‘s 200th birthday, but also provide a wealth of rare and valuable errors for diligent collectors to discover.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my knowledge and experience to help you understand and appreciate the nuances of 2009 penny errors. Whether you‘re just starting to collect error coins or are a seasoned pro, my aim is to arm you with the insights and strategies needed to acquire some of these elusive beauties for your collection.
The Significance of 2009 Lincoln Pennies
The Lincoln Cent has long been a staple of U.S. coinage and a favorite among collectors. First introduced in 1909 to mark the 100th anniversary of Lincoln‘s birth, it was the first American coin to feature a real person rather than the personified Liberty.
For over a century, the iconic Lincoln Memorial design graced the penny‘s reverse until 2009 brought a one-year-only series of four new designs for Lincoln‘s Bicentennial:
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Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky (1809-1816) – This pastoral design features a humble log cabin similar to the one where Lincoln was born and raised.
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Formative Years in Indiana (1816-1830) – Here a young Lincoln is shown reading a book while taking a break from rail splitting, representing his early education and labor.
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Professional Life in Illinois (1830-1861) – The Illinois State Capitol building serves as a backdrop for Lincoln delivering a speech, symbolizing his rise as a lawyer and politician.
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Presidency in Washington, D.C. (1861-1865) – Fittingly, the final penny shows the half-constructed U.S. Capitol dome, reflecting the unfinished state of the nation during Lincoln‘s wartime presidency.
These four designs, minted in massive quantities and released into circulation, provide ample opportunities for mint errors to occur. And with such a popular and widely collected series, 2009 error pennies are in high demand among both Lincoln cent specialists and error enthusiasts.
Mintage Statistics and Collectible Errors
To appreciate the rarity of 2009 penny errors, it‘s helpful to understand just how many of these coins were produced. According to the U.S. Mint, here are the total mintages for each design:
| Design | Philadelphia (P) | Denver (D) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth and Early Childhood (Log Cabin) | 376,000,000 | 363,600,000 |
| Formative Years (Rail Splitter) | 358,000,000 | 336,000,000 |
| Professional Life (Capitol Farewell) | 316,000,000 | 336,000,000 |
| Presidency (Capitol Dome) | 129,600,000 | 198,000,000 |
As you can see, even the lowest mintage 2009 cent (Philadelphia Presidency) still saw nearly 130 million examples struck! So while some errors are scarce in an absolute sense, there are plenty of opportunities to track down these treasured mistakes.
Some of the most notable and collectible errors/varieties include:
1. Doubled Dies
Doubled die errors are caused by misaligned hub doubling during the die making process and are a perennial favorite among collectors. For 2009 pennies, look out for these prominent varieties:
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2009 Formative Years "Extra Thumb" DDR – This dramatic doubled die reverse shows an extra thumb or index finger on Lincoln‘s right hand holding the book. PCGS reports only 4 known examples in their population data. One graded MS-67 Red sold for $1,265 in 2019.
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2009 Presidency "Windows and Doors" DDR – Strong doubling is visible on the windows, shutters, doors, and columns of the Capitol building. This variety commands a solid premium over non-error examples.
2. Off-Center Strikes
Coins that are struck outside of the retaining collar can end up misshapen and missing part of their design. The most valuable off-center coins are those with a full date and high percentage off-center. A dramatic 50%+ off-center 2009 penny with a full date could bring $100 or more.
3. Misaligned Dies
When dies aren‘t perfectly lined up, the resulting coins will have an uneven thickness and misaligned rims. A notable example is the 2009-S Professional Life penny with a horizontal misalignment. An NGC PF-68 RD Ultra Cameo of this sold for $288 in a 2020 Heritage auction.
4. Die Breaks and Cracks
Die breaks occur when the die itself cracks during use, often resulting in raised lines, "cud" errors, or even a retained cud (a coin stuck to a broken piece of die). While not as well known as doubled dies, die break errors can be visually stunning and quite valuable in high grades.
5. Transitional Planchet Errors
2009 pennies were made from the standard 97.5% zinc composition (copper-plated zinc), but off-metal errors using bronze planchets left over from previous years do exist. NGC has graded a few rare 2009 Birth and Childhood and 2009 Professional Life bronze cents.
How to Grade and Value Error Coins
Assessing the condition and value of error coins requires carefully considering both the magnitude/sharpness of the error and the coin‘s underlying grade. A dramatic error on a weakly struck or damaged coin will be less desirable than the same error on a lustrous, high-grade example.
When purchasing raw (ungraded) error coins, be sure to inspect them under good lighting with a loupe or microscope. Check for signs of damage, alteration, or tooling that could indicate a fabricated error. It‘s always best to buy errors certified by NGC or PCGS when possible.
These reputable grading services use the Sheldon 70-point scale to evaluate a coin‘s condition. A coin graded MS/PF 65 or higher is considered Gem quality. For copper-plated zinc coins like the 2009 cents, a "Red" (RD) color designation indicates the coin retains 95% or more of its original red luster.
Pricing information can be found in error coin value guides like the Cherrypickers‘ Guide or by searching realized auction prices. As a general rule, prices increase along with the visual severity of the error and the coin‘s grade. Here are some sample values for certified 2009 penny errors in different grades:
| Error Type | MS/PF 63 | MS/PF 65 | MS/PF 67 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formative Years DDR Extra Thumb | n/a | $500 | $1,265 |
| Presidency DDR Windows & Doors | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| 50% Off-Center | $50 | $100 | $150 |
| Misaligned Die | $75 | $150 | $250 |
| Retained Die Break/Cud | $150 | $300 | $500+ |
Note: These are approximate retail values for example only. Actual prices can vary based on market conditions and error severity. Always do your own research and price comparisons when buying or selling.
Strategies for Collecting 2009 Error Cents
So, how should you approach collecting these fascinating error coins? Here are some tips based on my own experience:
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Specialize – Consider focusing on a specific 2009 design or error type to build a meaningful collection without breaking the bank. For instance, you could assemble a set of Presidency cents with various doubled dies or a group of Formative Years cents with increasing off-center percentages.
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Cherrypick – If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, try examining rolls of 2009 cents from your local bank or coin shop. You never know when you might spot a minor doubled die or off-center strike in circulation!
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Buy Certified – As mentioned above, purchasing error coins already authenticated by NGC or PCGS is the safest way to ensure you‘re getting a genuine, accurately graded piece for your collection.
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Set a Budget – It‘s easy to get caught up in the excitement of rare errors and overspend. Determine how much you can afford to allocate to your error collecting each month and stick within that budget. With patience and persistence, great deals do come along.
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Connect with Fellow Collectors – The error coin community is friendly and full of knowledgeable folks. Join online forums like the CONECA (Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America) or local coin clubs to learn, share your finds, and potentially find new pieces for your collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are all 2009 pennies valuable?
A: No, regular strike 2009 pennies in circulated condition are still just worth face value. Even high grade Mint State examples only sell for a modest premium unless in an ultra high grade like MS 69 or 70 red.
Q: Is it legal to own error coins?
A: Yes! Genuine U.S. Mint errors and varieties are legal to buy, sell, and own as long as they entered circulation through legitimate channels. The only exceptions are unique errors that the Mint considers stolen property, like the 1974 aluminum cent.
Q: What‘s the best way to store my 2009 error cents?
A: To preserve their color and surfaces, uncertified error cents should be stored in inert, archival quality 2×2 flip holders or Mylar/acetate currency sleeves. Certified coins are already protected by their sonically sealed plastic holders.
Conclusion
The 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial cents offer collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of minting history and American heritage in the form of visually stunning errors and varieties. By focusing your collection, learning to grade accurately, and connecting with other error enthusiasts, you can assemble an impressive array of these desirable coins.
As we‘ve seen, some 2009 penny errors like the Formative Years extra thumb DDR or the Presidency windows and doors DDR are quite valuable and make excellent additions to any advanced Lincoln cent or error type collection. But even more minor (and affordable) errors can be a source of fascination and pride.
The most important things are to collect what you love, buy the best you can afford, and enjoy the process of building your collection over time. I hope this in-depth guide has given you a solid foundation for your 2009 error penny collecting journey. Stay curious and keep searching – you never know what treasures await!
