The 1909-S/S S/Horizontal S Wheat Penny is worth anywhere from $150 in heavily worn condition to over $1,500 in pristine mint state. This rare variety is a favorite among collectors because of the unique way the San Francisco mint mark was punched twice into the coin.

Condition	Estimated Value
Good (G-4)	$145 – $165
Fine (F-12)	$180 – $210
Extremely Fine (XF-40)	$250 – $285
Uncirculated (MS-63)	$450 – $600
MS-65 Red (Top Grade)	$1,500+

History of the 1909-S/S Horizontal Mint Mark Variety

The year 1909 was a massive turning point for American coinage, as it marked the transition from the Indian Head design to the Lincoln Wheat Cent. If you happen to be cleaning out an old jar of coins, you might find a top coin identifier app like CoinKnow extremely helpful in distinguishing between common and rare varieties. Among the rare 1909 San Francisco issues, the “Horizontal S” variety stands out as a fascinating production error from the earliest days of the Lincoln series.

In the early 1900s, mint marks were still punched into the working dies by hand. For this specific variety, a mint worker at San Francisco mistakenly held the “S” puncheon horizontally when striking the die. Realizing the mistake, they quickly corrected it by punching a vertical “S” directly over the horizontal one.

This resulted in what collectors call an RPM (Repunched Mint Mark). It is specifically cataloged as FS-501. Because only a small number of dies were affected, the 1909-S/S Horizontal S remains much rarer than the standard 1909-S wheat penny, often selling for a significant premium at auctions.

How to Identify the 1909-S S/Horizontal S Variety

Identifying this coin requires a sharp eye or a high-quality magnifying loupe. You aren’t just looking for an “S” under the date; you are looking for evidence of the mistake underneath that “S.” If you are unsure what you are looking at, you can use the CoinKnow app to zoom in on the details of your coin and compare it to authenticated samples.

The main hallmark of the Horizontal S is the protrusion of the serif. Look closely at the top curve of the primary “S” mint mark. You should see a small, rectangular bar or “serif” sticking out to the left from the top of the main letter. This is the top part of the original, sideways-punched “S.”

Additionally, you might see the bottom curve of the horizontal letter peaking out from the right side of the main mint mark. Because these markings are tiny, wear and tear on a “Good” or “Fine” graded coin can make identification difficult. However, even in worn states, the extra thickness and odd shape of the mint mark usually tip off savvy collectors that they have something special.

Determining the Value of Your 1909 Wheat Penny

When it comes to value, two factors reign supreme: the presence of the “S” mint mark and the overall condition of the coin. A 1909 penny with no mint mark was made in Philadelphia and is very common. However, any 1909 penny with an “S” is a “key date” worth money.

The 1909-S wheat penny price and grading data shows that even “standard” S-mints are valuable, but the Horizontal S variety adds about 20% to 50% more to the price tag depending on the grade. Collectors use a 1-to-70 scale to grade coins, where 1 is barely recognizable and 70 is perfect.

Grade	Approximate Price (USD)
VG-8 (Very Good)	$175
VF-20 (Very Fine)	$215
AU-50 (About Uncirculated)	$375
MS-64 Red-Brown	$850

The Role of Color in 1909-S Penny Pricing

If you find a penny that still looks shiny and orange, you might be sitting on a goldmine. In the world of copper coin collecting, coins are categorized by their color: Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), and Brown (BN). A “Red” coin is one that retains at least 95% of its original mint luster.

Brown coins are the most common for the 1909 issue because copper oxidizes over time. However, if your 1909-S/S Horizontal S has been preserved in a collection or a safe, its “Red” status could rocket its value into the thousands.

Before you assume your coin is just a regular old penny, compare its luster against a 1909 Indian Head penny value guide to see how early cents from that same year are priced based on their color and strike quality. High-grade Red specimens of the 1909-S/S are incredibly scarce and are often only found at major auction houses.

Comparison: 1909-S/S vs. 1909-S VDB

It is important to distinguish the S/Horizontal S from its more famous cousin, the 1909-S VDB. The VDB penny has the designer’s initials (Victor David Brenner) on the bottom of the reverse side. While the S-VDB is more famous and generally more expensive, the S/S Horizontal S is actually a rarer die variety in terms of total numbers produced.

Many beginners confuse these two, but they are distinct coins. You can have a 1909-S VDB, a 1909-S (no VDB), and a 1909-S/S Horizontal S. Some rare examples even exist where the VDB initials are present alongside the repunched mint mark, though these are extremely rare.

If you are just starting your collection, using an app like CoinKnow can help you keep these varieties organized and ensure you don’t accidentally sell a rare error for the price of a standard coin.

Penny Variety	Rarity Level	Average Circulated Value
1909-P (Common)	Very Low	$2 – $5
1909-S (No VDB)	High	$100 – $130
1909-S/S Horizontal S	Very High	$160 – $250
1909-S VDB	Extreme	$800 – $1,100

Where to Sell Your Rare 1909-S Wheat Penny

Once you’ve identified your 1909-S/S Horizontal S, the next step is deciding how to realize its value. Because this is a high-value coin, we do not recommend taking it to a standard pawn shop, as they typically offer only a fraction of the actual market price.

For coins valued over $200, it is usually worth getting them professionally graded by a service like PCGS or NGC. A “slabbed” or certified coin is much easier to sell because the buyer doesn’t have to guess if the variety is authentic. Once graded, you can sell through specialized coin auction houses or reputable eBay sellers who specialize in numismatics.

Remember to keep the coin in a protective flip or holder. Copper is sensitive to the oils on your fingers, and even a single fingerprint can lower the grade of a high-end mint state penny.

FAQ

Q: Why is the “S” sideways on the 1909 horizontal penny?

A: It was a human error at the San Francisco mint. A worker mistakenly used the letter punch in the wrong orientation before correcting it with a second, vertical punch.

Q: How can I tell if my 1909-S penny is a real Horizontal S?

A: Look for a small “nub” or bar extending to the left of the upper part of the “S.” You may also see a second serif near the center of the letter. High-quality photos or a coin app are the best tools for verification.

Q: Is every 1909 penny worth hundreds of dollars?

A: No. Most 1909 pennies were minted in Philadelphia and do not have a mint mark; these are worth about $2 to $10. Only those with the “S” mint mark from San Francisco command the high prices discussed here.

Q: Should I clean my 1909-S/S Horizontal S penny to make it look better?

A: Never clean your coins! Cleaning removes the original surface and significantly lowers the value. Collectors prefer a dirty, authentic coin over a shiny, “cleaned” one.

Q: What is the most ever paid for this variety?

A: While prices fluctuate, high-grade MS66 Red examples of the 1909-S/S Horizontal S have been known to sell for over $3,000 at major heritage auctions.