How Much Is a 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Penny Worth?

By the year, the Lincoln cent had already been present in circulation for a full century, and the US Mint strived to celebrate this milestone and the bicentennial birth year of the 16th president of the United States (the titled figure on the coin) by introducing four special designs, each of which was devoted to different stages of Abraham Lincoln’s life.

Three minting facilities, i.e., the ones located in Philadelphia, Denver, 2009 D penny with man on back, and San Francisco, were responsible for the production of particular 2009 bicentennial penny value varieties, represented via regular 2009 penny no mint mark value, proof, and special-strike types, with prices up to $4,800 for MS-68.

How Much Is a 2009 Penny Worth Today?

Produced by: Philadelphia Mint

Auction record: 2009 no mint mark penny $4,800 for MS-68 RD

The most productive mint, responsible for the production of the US pennies, was the one located in Philadelphia. In fact, it released regular and special strikes, and the value mainly depended on the type, overall preservation, and color designation, attributed upon the launch (or authentication by grading services).

2009 D Penny Value

Produced by: Denver Mint

Auction record: $4,700 for MS-68 RD 

A typical Lincoln penny 2009 collection should also include the equally valuable coins from the Denver Mint. Check the 2009 D penny error list with pictures.

To satisfy the collector's demand, the US Mint decided to create special strikes, too. These are usually identical to the original 1909 Lincoln cent in that they are composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc (with a weight of 3.11 grams, which makes them a bit heavier than the regular-circulation ones). Unlike proof coins, which have a mirror-like luster, the special-strike units have a satin-like finish.

S 2009 penny Professional Life Value

Produced by: San Francisco Mint

Auction record: $103 for PR-70

Like the majority of the series, the Lincoln series also included proof coins, which represent the finest and most detailed part of this kind. Unlike the uncirculated coins, these are made with greater care, yet they still contain the old, good 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc composition. Proof coins have a shiny, mirror-like sheen and distinct details, for they are struck several times with the use of specially polished dies.

Usually, these coins are offered for sale in Proof Sets, which include all of the year's struck pieces in excellent proof condition. Proof coins from the series were produced at the San Francisco Mint only; they are never meant for collection, and the price of these variants is usually higher (some kind of investment to opt for).

Why Are There 4 Different 2009 Penny Designs?

Those who are interested in coin collecting know that the 2009 penny with cabin on back series is notable for its unique designs, historical background, and compositional and minting site variations. Here is a summary of these coins' salient features that one should be aware of.

Item Specifications

Collector coins from this year feature a unique satin finish, which is less shiny than a Proof but more detailed and matte than a standard circulating coin. As of early 2026, many numismatists are revisiting these sets due to the high market interest in the 2026 Semiquincentennial coin releases, as both years represent major milestone changes to standard U.S. coin designs.

2009 Penny Designs Explained: Complete List

“The circulating version of these coins uses the same metal content as other modern cents (2.5 percent copper, the rest zinc). The uncirculated version contains the metals used in the original 1909 cent (95 percent copper, 5 percent tin and zinc)...”
— The unspecified representative of the United States Mint
Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program, The United States Mint website

Each design represents a major period in Lincoln's life. Below is the complete list with their historical context and mintage totals. Do not confuse it with the 2009 Lincoln Memorial penny; it was one year ago from the date.

Birth and Early Childhood – Kentucky

Designer Richard Masters

Sculptor Jim Licaretz

Mintage 634,800,000 pieces

Release date is February 12, Lincoln’s 200th Birthday. The design features a humble 2009 penny with Log Cabin representing Lincoln's birth in Hodgenville, Kentucky, in 1809. The coin nickname is The Log Cabin item.

Formative Years – Indiana

Designer & Sculptor Charles Vickers

Mintage 739,600,000 pieces

Release Date is May 14. The design depicts a young Lincoln taking a break from rail splitting to read a book, symbolizing his self-education and persistence during his youth in Indiana. The item nickname is The Indiana item or the 2009 penny with man on back.

Professional Life – Illinois

Designer Joel Iskowitz

Sculptor Don Everhart

Mintage 652,000,000 pieces

Release Date is August 13. The design shows Lincoln as a young lawyer and professional standing in front of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. The item nickname is The Illinois item.

Presidency – Washington, D.C.

Designer Susan Gamble

Sculptor Joseph Menna

Mintage 327,600,000 pieces

Release Date is November 12. The design features the half-completed Capitol Dome as it looked during Lincoln's presidency, representing the fractured Union he worked to preserve and rebuild. The item nickname is The Capitol Dome item.

2009 Penny Value Chart

Both regular and uncommon 2009 pennies worth money may show different pricing patterns on the market, for the value mainly depends on the type of the coin (and its historical origin), the mintmark, and grades, as attributed by the professionals.

As a rule, circulated pieces are worth 1 cent (the nominal value), but exceptional coins can be sold for much more impressive prices, up to $4,800 for the most immaculate piece. Below is a valuable 2009 penny value chart.

What is the value of 2009 penny with man sitting on log? The prices listed above can be used as a reference, yet these figures may also fluctuate. Please consult up-to-date price guides in order to find the most recent data that should reflect the order of things on the numismatic market, for example, a 2009 penny with man standing on back value.

Most Valuable 2009 Penny: Complete Error List

Is a 2009 D penny worth anything on today’s market? The value of the 2009 Lincoln pennies, or any others, e.g., the 1960 Lincoln penny value, is also dependent on how perfect a coin is. At times, a coin might come a bit differently, as it is to bear deviations from what they should be.

Although these mistakes are uncommon, they give the coin's history a fascinating dimension, which makes it highly prized by collectors. Significant 2009 penny errors made during the minting process are among the most valued 2009 pennies. Always check the 2009 penny error list with pictures.

Rare 2009 Penny Error Plating

Value $150

True plating imperfections, however, should have originated during the minting process and affected the thin outer copper layer of the coin. As for the appearance, they manifest as bubbling, blistering, peeling, or uneven textures, and the most collectible examples are those with clear mint-made surface disruption and minimal wear.

Die Cracks

Value $120

Die cracks are also relatively widespread, and they appear only when the coin die begins to break down after repeated use. This is why there appear raised lines on the end product via thin, faint marks or bold features that can be recognized on the spot. The line on the coin should be raised (and if it is not, the mark is more likely to be a scratch or another form of post-mint damage, which costs nothing after all).

Doubled Die Error

Value $65

Finally, here comes one of the most popular and rather common errors in the numismatic field. In fact, it is usually seen as a distinct doubling in the date, lettering, or design details, produced because of a misalignment during the die-making process. The most desirable pieces are those that show clearly doubled elements and remain especially appealing when the coin is well preserved.

Is a 2009 Penny Rare or Valuable?

The majority of the coin series is worth only their face value. Despite that, some E Pluribus Unum penny 2009 worth thousands of dollars on the markets and online auctions.

D Presidency Denver – a piece graded MS-68 is incredibly 2009 rare penny. The current auction record for this specific coin is $4,700.

2009 Penny Value No Mint Mark Formative Years Philadelphia (2009 penny no mint mark) – an MS-68 Red specimen recently shattered records with a sale of $2,756.

MS-67 – If your item is flawless with a bright red color, it is likely worth $150 to $300 if professionally graded.

Auction Records

Are 2009 pennies worth anything on the auctions and local coin shops? Below is the super rare valuable penny 2009 penny value chart:

Birth and Early Childhood – $112, SP-69 RD, 2022 eBay

Formative Years – $1,995 MS-67, 2010 eBay

Professional Life – $1,939 MS-68 RD, 2017 Heritage Auctions

Presidency –  $2,650 MS-68 Red, 2018 eBay

How to Identify a Valuable 2009 Penny

The Extra Finger error valuable error 2009 penny on the Formatibe Years design, is the most popular defect. Use a loupe to check Lincoln’s left hand holding the book. You are looking for a doubled-die reverse (DDR) that makes it look like he has an extra thumb or finger. Wide varieties like the FS-802 can be worth over $2,000 in pristine Red condition, while minor versions sell for $20–$100.

Each of the four designs has unique hot spots for errors:

Rare valuable 2009 penny with man sitting on log value – look for Log Ends – extra circular wood blocks appearing under the cabin’s front porch.

Professional Life – look for doubling on the columns of the Illinois State Capitol building behind Lincoln.

Presidency – check for Scaffolding – doubling on the unfinished Capitol dome.

High-Grade Identification

If your item has no errors but looks brand new, as if it never touched another coin, it might be a condition rarity. To be valuable, it must be RD (Red color), meaning it still has its original copper luster and hasn't turned brown. If you see no scratches even under magnification, it may grade MS-67 or higher. Today, a D Presidency in MS-68 is estimated at $6,000.

Are 2009 Lincoln Penny Sets Worth More?

Talking about the item, you always have the copper metal advantage. While pennies are made of zinc, the Mint and Proof sets have 95 % copper, the original 1909 item composition. The weight difference of these collector pennies is 3.11 grams, whereas standard pennies weigh only 2.5 grams.

The 2009 Lincoln penny value of your set depends on which version of the U.S. Mint product you own. So, is a 2009 penny worth anything?

Why Sets Are Worth More Nowadays

The Satin Finish Scarcity – the 2009 Uncirculated Mint Set is particularly prized because it was discontinued unexpectedly by the Mint in 2010. The Satin Finish pennies inside are technically scarcer than many semi-key dates from the early 1900s.

Registry Set Demand – high-grade examples (SP-69 or PR-70) pulled from these sets are required for top registry sets. A single S PR-70 DCAM can sell for over $280 on its own.

Semiquincentennial hype – with the 2026 Semiquincentennial designs currently being released, collectors are looking back at the Bicentennial as the predecessor to this year's coins, driving up secondary market demand.

Collector’s Advice

If you have an intact set, do not break it open. The coins are much more valuable as a complete, preserved set. If you are looking to buy, prioritize the Uncirculated Mint Set, as the Satin Finish copper cents are currently outperforming the standard Proofs in long-term investment growth.

FAQs

Related Coin Value Guides:

• 2011 Penny Coin Value
• 2008 D Penny Coin Value
• 2011 Chogm $1 Coin Value
• 2007 Liberty Nickel Coin Value
• 2008 Arizona Quarter Coin Value
• 2007 Montana Quarter Coin Value