Numismatic

1909-S Lincoln Cent XF

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In 1909, the United States introduced a dramatic change to its lowest denomination, debuting a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the one-cent piece. This particular specimen, struck at the San Francisco Mint as indicated by the small S mint mark below the date, represents the inaugural year of this long-running series. Crafted from copper, the coin has survived in Extra Fine condition, preserving the distinct details of its historic imagery. The front of the coin features a detailed profile bust of Abraham Lincoln, looking toward the right. Above his likeness, the words IN GOD WE TRUST are inscribed, while LIBERTY is placed to his left, and the date 1909 is positioned to his right. This design brought a fresh, realistic portrait style to American circulating coinage. On the reverse, two stylized wheat ears frame the central inscriptions. The denomination ONE CENT and the issuing authority UNITED STATES OF AMERICA occupy the center of the field, with the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM placed along the upper rim. Notably, the bottom of the reverse features the initials of the designer, Victor David Brenner, a detail that makes the early 1909 issues particularly compelling to study and compare.