What do you think is the better investment coin, 1877 IHC or 1909-S VDB LWC?

rokky

Just looking for opinions. I’m close to purchasing one or the other right now. It will be a certified coin from a respected dealer/seller.

ifthevamzarockin

The grade of the coin and the amount you are willing to invest are key variables with your question.

Simple answer with the information provided would be the 09 svdb.

skier07

Don’t invest in coins.

I don’t follow prices but a 09-S VDB will always be very popular while I think the 1877 is not as popular today.

Oldhoopster

What grade? What condition? CAC? Color? Grading service? Eye appeal?

Too many variables. Forget the investment stuff. You'll be lucky if you break even on most average collector coins. Buy the coin because a) you like it, b) you want it to fill a set, and/or c) it's cool and I want it (most of my purchases )

If you're interested in filling your sets, then buying the keys is a good idea. I would decide which set is more appealing to me, Indians or Lincolns, and then make the decision assuming everything else is close

BTW: if most of us were good at investing, we would probably be lying on a beach right now drinkIng rum drinks with tiny umbrellas and not hanging out on some internet chat board

lkenefic

As others have already said... condition, surfaces, color, and overall eye appeal are going to figure in. Just an observation... the 09-S VDB is not a rare coin but very liquid due to the collector base for Lincoln Cents... whereas the 1877 IHC is much more rare but a bit less liquid... fewer people chasing those sets as compared to Lincoln Cents...

Edited to add... BTW, coins are usually a crappy "investment"... 401k for the long haul...

jesbroken

Comparing like 63 grades:
1) the 77 is worth more than double the 09SVDB
2) the 09SVDB has more than tripled in value in the last 22 years, while the 77 has little more than doubled in the same time period.
Hard to make a decision on a single coin when value is so much different, plus the past performance is only an indicator of value performance and not a guarantee.
Jim

OAKSTAR

with the others. Unless you're a professional coin dealer, I would never but the words investment and coins in the same sentence.

If I had to pick one, it would be the S-VDB.

EDIT: Unless you're @ErrorsOnCoins that is! 😂 🤣

ctf_error_coins

I love investing in coins that most collectors do not know about nor follow.

PerryHall

Both are great coins. If it were me, I would buy either one depending on which one came along that was nice and priced right. I would then save my money and buy the other one. They're both key dates and worthy additions to your collection. You are right to only buy one slabbed by a major grading service since both have been counterfeited. Let us know what you decide and good hunting.

SanctionII

Investing in coins may cause one much angst.

Collecting coins may provide one much enjoyment.

After learning about coins and deciding which path to follow, use your knowledge to choose wisely as you acquire, hold and dispose of coins.

messydesk

Either can be a good or bad investment, depending on how much you pay and the quality of the piece. The price curve on the 09-S VDB is flatter than that of the 1877 and it's a less expensive coin. This makes buying mistakes, such as paying full 64RB retail for a coin that's just barely not a 63 or BN, less costly.

ctf_error_coins

Here, I fixed it for you....

Investing in coins may provide one much enjoyment.

Collecting coins may cause one much angst.

jesbroken

Investing in coins or collecting coins may cause one either enjoyment or angst. Depending upon how serious you are about either.
Jim

hbarbee

You ask a very good question. Take a look at the PCGS Price Guide and Population Report. Let’s assume you would like to spend about 10K on the coin so it becomes a significant holding.

For the Indian, that will get you to about 64RB where there would be about 200 like yours and 200 better. However, for the Lincoln, you could get to a 66RD where there would be about 200 like yours but only about 50 better. This surprised me as the Lincoln will always be more popular and if you spend more, the Lincoln becomes an even better choice.

I prefer choice coins where the pops are small because more and more collectors are chasing fewer coins.

291fifth

Given the current irrational exuberant coin market I wouldn't want to "invest" in either.

MarkKelley

I had three certified 1877's and sold two. I had 11 certified 1909S VDB's and sold them all. From my own admittedly limited statistics I'd have to go with the S VDB.

JWP

If I found either one at a reasonable (i'm CHEAP) price, I would buy it. Realistically, I will never find a 1877 IHC, but a better chance on a 1909 s VDB - MAYBE. I would even throw a 3rd cent in the mix. A 1909 s IHC. I would truly love to find one at a good price. DREAM ON

jmlanzaf

Neither. Both are common.

Kliao

Never consider coins as an investment.

But if both are the same grade, I would choose the 09SVDB over a 1877 as it’s more of a ‘well known’, ‘famous’ coin with a larger collector base.

mr1931S

"Investment" doesn't have to be only about money. It can be about one's psyche. Given the choice of '09 SVDB or '77 but not both, the SVDB wins me over. Why? The story of how 1909-S V.D.B. came to be is special.1909-S V.D.B. is the holy grail for the Lincoln cent collector. Always has been and always will be. Back in the day, I would have eaten worms for an S V.D.B. to fill that hole, the hole with the plug in it that said "Rare", in my Whitman penny folder. Make no mistake, the 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln cent is one of the most famous coins in all of numismatics.

winesteven

I do NOT disagree with the majority that suggest as a collector (everything else being equal regarding fair pricing for the grade, both with real nice eye appeal, etc.) go with the 1909-S VDB. As they say, while the pops are higher for the Lincoln, so is the demand, AND since the pricing slope is surprisingly somewhat close to flat as the grade increases with the Lincoln, that means you can get a higher grade Lincoln for not much more than one several grades lower. This is not true with the key 1877 Indian.

However, I did the opposite, and I’m not sorry.

I put together a Lincoln Wheat DATE set. This way, I only needed 50 coins for the set, AND I can then pick and choose the more “common” coin for each date. Based on those two factors, I was then able to afford higher grades, which I could not have done with a “complete” Wheat set. I then chose the cheap route, and bought the more common/less expensive 1909 VDB from Philadelphia.

I’m close to finishing my Indian Head Cent set, and as such, I had to include the 1877. A forum member was kind enough to reach out to me to offer me this coin at a fair price. Rick Snow says this coin is 90% red:

Steve

CoinHoarder

The 1909 S VDB, Bought this one raw back in 1992. Still have it.

DisneyFan

Having had both, the 1877 gave me more pride of ownership. However, I went cheap and bought the proof which later received a CAC which was even better. But they say, don't mix proofs and MS coins.
I would have loved to own a 1856 flying eagle; but, that was definitely out of my reach.
Investment? Things are a bit frothy these days.

oreville

@winesteven said:
I do NOT disagree with the majority that suggest as a collector (everything else being equal regarding fair pricing for the grade, both with real nice eye appeal, etc.) go with the 1909-S VDB. As they say, while the pops are higher for the Lincoln, so is the demand, AND since the pricing slope is surprisingly somewhat close to flat as the grade increases with the Lincoln, that means you can get a higher grade Lincoln for not much more than one several grades lower. This is not true with the key 1877 Indian.

However, I did the opposite, and I’m not sorry.

I put together a Lincoln Wheat DATE set. This way, I only needed 50 coins for the set, AND I can then pick and choose the more “common” coin for each date. Based on those two factors, I was then able to afford higher grades, which I could not have done with a “complete” Wheat set. I then chose the cheap route, and bought the more common/less expensive 1909 VDB from Philadelphia.

I’m close to finishing my Indian Head Cent set, and as such, I had to include the 1877. A forum member was kind enough to reach out to me to offer me this coin at a fair price. Rick Snow says this coin is 90% red:

Steve

I like your 1877 cent.

gumby1234

I would choose the 1877 just because I like Indian cents better than Lincoln cents.

Cougar1978

Basically from a collector / investor point of view I would want the 1877 Indian Cent. It has much more appeal to me. I go with what I like.

ricko

Look at specimens of both coins... several of each. Then buy the one you like best and can afford. Cheers, RickO

Joe_360

More Lincoholic then Indianheads (IMP) but really should depend on what you prefer

1Mike1

I think either coin will hold its value within reason.

fathom

I would do the 1877 because of the historical significance of the period. Also it's a tougher coin in Mint State.

rokky

Thank you everyone for your opinions. I’m “on the fence” still with my decision, but I am definitely leaning towards the 1877. And the main reason for it….I’ve never had an 1877, surprisingly. Years ago I had a nice mint state 09-S VDB, which I regretfully sold, but like I said, I’ve never had an 1877.

asheland

Personally I’d take the 1877 IHC
I like them a lot more than Lincolns.

hfjacinto

I actually have both and while the 1909 S VDB was a special coin as it helped me complete a set I started 45 years ago, I always liked IHC more than Lincoln cents, so an 1877 is just a more desirable coin *to me.

hfjacinto

@winesteven said:

>

Steve

@winesteven , can you adopt me? I just want an inheritance of your Indian Head Cents, well maybe your gold coins also

winesteven

@hfjacinto said:
@winesteven , can you adopt me? I just want an inheritance of your Indian Head Cents, well maybe your gold coins also

You asked at just the right time (just kidding, lol).

But thanks for the compliment. I’m close to finishing my special IHC set. This afternoon I’ll get answers that can be beneficial to me for that set.

I’ve really enjoyed following your progress on your Dansco 7070. Your passion and enthusiasm for our wonderful hobby is infectious.

Happy Hunting!

Steve

7Jaguars

I'd always liked both, but like many kept looking at that blank space in the Whitman Lincoln folder above the 1909 S VDB space - for more than 40 years! I knew about and kind of liked the 1877 but have always liked the "lesser" 1909 S IHC.
That said, I agree with most that coins generally are not a great investment. I did buy a raw S VDB in an English auction about 4-5 years ago for about 1200 USD that slabbed at hosts an honest MS64RB and IMO would prob. green sticker at CAC; finally filled that space - sort of.